"Late night yesterday?" Rose murmured while the two loves lay half-asleep in their room in the morning sun. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Punched up a few patrons," Laska muttered. "Busted a few heads. The usual..."

"You can't get up now, because you stayed up so late," Rose said while Laska buried her head under her pillow. "Next time, you might want to turn in early before you have a big meeting early in the morning."

"Argh, thanks, mom!" Laska groaned. "Stupid sun... I wish it would blow up and leave me alone already..."

"What?" Rose giggled. "You can't blow up the sun!"

"And why not?" Laska snorted. "Ever since there have been early mornings, people of all races have yearned to destroy the sun. One day, there's going to be a battle of a unified Faerun against the onslaught of the evil sun!"

"Don't tell me you actually believe that crap they put in those Cyric-pamphlets," Rose muttered.

"No," Laska shifted, tossed her pillow award and took her lover in her arms. "But it's cute when you believe I do." Rose returned Laska's playful smile and pressed her lips on her lover's. Laska responded and deepened the kiss while Rose ran her hands through Laska's dark hair.

Their moment of bliss, however, was disturbed by a knock on the door.

"Crap," Rose sighed. "Didn't you put up the 'Do not disturb'-sign, love?"

"I thought I did," Laska glowered and rolled on her back, listening intently. She heard a few of her friends gathered in front of the door, whispering softly.

"Quiet or she will hear you!" Laska heard Imoen whisper. She grinned, for Imoen had underestimated Laska's elven hearing all her life. "We have to be quiet..."

"OY, WOMAN!" Korgan shouted at the top of his lungs. "Get out here and FIX ME SOME DINNER. HAR HAR!"

"Very subtle, Korgan," Imoen muttered.

"You said she could make cremé framboise?" Laska snickered. It was Keldorn. Apparently, the aged paladin could not resist the temptation of good food.

"Okay," Imoen whispered, "someone has to go in and chase her into the kitchen. Any volunteers?"

"HEY!" Keldorn shouted as he was suddenly shoved through the door to Laska and Rose's room and was barely able to keep his footing. The aged paladin grew bright red as he saw Rose lying in bed without any clothes on, and turned around while she covered herself.

"My... humbles apologies, miss Rose, I... my companions," Keldorn stammered.

"Keldorn," Rose smiled. "My name's just Rose, not miss Rose."

"Err, yes, miss Rose," Keldorn gulped.

Rose smiled and shook her head. "Looking for Laska?"

"Yes," Keldorn said. "My friends told me she could make a good cremé framboise."

"OY!" Korgan shouted from the hallway. "What that be?!"

"It's strawberry pudding, Korgan," Imoen's voice drifted from the hallway.

"Then why don't be blummin' SAY SO!" Korgan snarled.

Rose smirked. "Well," she said. "Laska just jumped out the window and ran across the roof to avoid you, but I think she'll be back because she forgot to put on her boots," she said, and let her eyes roam across the floor. "And her vest..."

"Stupid public nudity laws," Laska shouted as they walked the streets of Trademeet, heading towards the Lurraxol residence. "I ain't gonna pay that fine!"

"Laska," Keldorn said. "It's the law... and besides, it's only 5 gold."

"It's the principle of the thing, Keldorn!" Laska snarled. "When I was actually walking across the roof without vest on, I didn't even receive a single complaint!"

"Laska, Laska, Laska," Imoen mock-sighed. "If you had gotten up early to fix us breakfast, it wouldn't have happen."

"Yeah," Korgan grinned. "That strawberry from-whatsus be great!"

"I didn't think you'd have time to taste it with the rate you shoved it in your mouth," Imoen chuckled.

"Yes, it was an excellent cremé framboise," Keldorn said. "One of the best I ever had. What's your secret?"

"Putting little bits of vanilla in the actual creme-bowl before starting off to give it more texture," Laska grinned. "And, of course, it helps to be a speedy elf when you have to bat the creme. And, dear GODS, if any officer comes to collect that fine, I'll break his or her NECK!"

"That's a bit harsh," Imoen said. "Killing someone for 5 gold."

"It's the principle of the thing," Laska repeated. "Besides, my statue shows more nudity than I did, so what are they worried about?!"

"Is Viconia not coming with us?" Keldorn asked.

"Nah," Imoen said. "She says she's tired from me snoring into her ear all night. Normally, I take those comments with a grain of salt, but I did wake up with a mouthful of white hairs this morning."

"Cute," Laska chuckled.

"And Viconia said she wouldn't get out of bed to meet some 'prissy human noble fallen-up dung-monkey with stench-breath, who needs a whole staff of servants just to take a whizz in the morning'."

"Och, that be soundin' right, HAR!"

"Well, she has Jan to keep her company," Imoen winked. "He'll wait for her to get up to chat with her. He's brought his family album and promised to keep her occupied with hundreds among hundreds of tales until we returned."

"Och," Korgan chuckled, "we be takin' all the rope with us, then? Or me might find Drowsy dangling from the ceiling with a peaceful grin on her face while the gnome be yabbin' on."

"I have left some cotton near her door," Keldorn said. "That should help her a little. Minsc and Dynaheir will make sure they won't kill each other."

"Most considerate, Keldorn," Laska said. "Oh, there's the house now."

They were let into Lady Lilith Lurraxol's extremely gaudy mansion which had an even more gaudy interior. Expensive paintings, expensive statues, a pool in the middle of the room, and a score of man servants were standing about in the well-lit main room. Quickly, however, they were guided into Lilith's study-area, where the tall red-haired mage was writing spells behind her desk. She looked to be wearing a rather revealing robe, and greeted the adventurers with a sultry smile.

Laska and Imoen shared a look. They had seen all these flirting-tactics before.

Keldorn, however, seemed to be unaccustomed to it. He blushed and looked away.

Korgan on the other hand grinned, spit in his hand and used the saliva to straighten his beard.

"Ah! It is the hero of Trademeet, come to see me at last. I trust that all is well?" Lilith batted her eyelashes bit, while she rose from her seat slowly, offering the party a long look down her rich cleavage. Keldorn blushed again and looked away. "That pig, Skarmaen," she suddenly turned a bit harsh, "did not speak too harshly about me, I trust? No matter. He is a stubborn, deluded fool."

"I gather you don't like the bloke much," Laska snickered.

"Our families have been at odds for generations, you see. The Alibakkars refuse to acknowledge the fact that we are the only true noble family in Trademeet, having founded it," Lilith grinned.

"So, how do you know?" Imoen asked.

"Years of genealogical study, little girl," Lilith spat. "Although I think it would take a lot shorter to discover the roots of your pedigree. One need only to go to the nearest pigsty!"

"HEY!" Imoen shouted.

"Good day, miss Lurraxol," Laska said, and started to turn her back to the lady.

"Wait!" Lilith cried after her, a touch of desperation entering her voice. "I'm sorry, I just... this is a sensitive issue for me, you know? My family-pride is at stake, after all."

"Insult us again, and your teeth will be at stake as well," Laska snarled.

"Come, come, now," Keldorn said. "Allow the lady to explain."

"Well, yes, my family has never had actual, physical proof of the truth of our claim," Lilith sighed. "That has changed, however. A tome has recently been uncovered... an old tome belonging to my family... that states there is proof right here in Trademeet under our noses. In the graveyard tomb, here in town, lies the crypt of the founder... my ancestor. With him lies the Mantle of Waukeen. A pretty name for an old gold circlet."

"Let me guess," Korgan said. "Ye be wantin' us ta find it... So, lass, let's get to it so we can get down to bedroomhopping, HAR!"

"Not so happy about flirting with us now, ey" Laska said after noting the look of disgust on Lilith's face.

"Well, yes," Lilith sighed heavily. "I would get the damn thing myself, but the tomb is haunted, you see. Every time I try to enter, shadows pop up and chase me and my servants away! It's so frustrating, ARGH, ARGH, ARGH!" she said and took a moment to stamp her foot three times.

"Careful," Imoen said. "You'll wake up the mole-people. They'll take you down to their underground caverns and put you in their breeding-program. No doubt you'll produce cute little half-moles in no time."

The fuming Lilith's desire to stand up the Alibakkars was the only thing keeping her from launching a volley of spells at the little thief, who was sticking out her tongue at the moment.

"My Lady," Keldorn said. "I have no particular desire to disturb a tomb."

"I will pay you 1000 gold," Lilith said. "Is that not incentive enough?"

"Not fer pally-boy, 'ere," Korgan chuckled. "And not fer me," he winked. "Rrrrrrrrrowwlll."

"Uuuuuuuhhh," Lilith gulped. "Well, the, uh, the tomb was abandoned long ago because of this... haunting problem. I'm positive the town will look upon it as yet another favor done by you. And, trust me, my ancestor would want me to have the mantle!"

"Sounds like a pretty straight-forward job," Laska said. "We'll do it..."

"Excellent!" Lilith smiled. "Here is the key to the tomb... the fact that we possess it yet more proof of our legitimacy. Use it to enter and obtain the mantle, and then return to me when you are done."

"Yes," Korgan winked. "See ye later!"

"Uuuuuuuhhhhh," was Lilith's reply.

"Say," Imoen asked as she looked at the painting of a garish looking, raved-hair young noble, standing on the field of battle with sword in hand. "Is that?"

"Yes," Lilith smiled. "Haro Coningh. Dashing young man, isn't he? My ancestor, the founder of Trademeet. A wealthy nobleman trader. Oh, what a proud looking noble, isn't he?"

"Just dandy," Imoen snorted.

"Well," Laska said as the four friends stood on the small graveyard in front of an age-old crypt. It was overgrown with weeds, its adornments had weathered and the tooth of time had chipped away at its base. "I don't feel any undead inside. That's a good thing, I suppose."

"Ach!" Korgan said. "No bag-o-bones will be keepin' this dwarf from the night o'his life, HAR!"

That said, Korgan landed his axe right on the stone doors with such force that it groaned as it slid from its hinges. The heavy stone door toppled and slid down the staircase inside with a sound that would wake the dead.

"Korgan!" Keldorn admonished. "We have the KEY!"

"Och, details, details," Korgan grinned as he led them inside.

At the bottom of the crypt was a small sanctum. It was dark, though the crypt was lit up with magical torches, which had apparently been doing their jobs for thousands of years. Skeletons were sleeping eternally in small niches alongside the main tomb, which had been lovingly adorned with statuettes of carpenters.

"No undead so far," Laska said. "Good."

"Let's see if I can open his," Imoen said and checked the tomb for traps. Immediately, she spotted a rather insidious gas-trap. Taking a moment to get out her kit, Imoen took a thin metal rod and a piece of cloth. Biting her tongue while she worked, Imoen slid the little rod into the grate where the trap was located behind and blocked the tumblers in place with the metal rod. Then, she took the cloth and wrapped it around the grate. After that, she took a small vial of liquid and, using the cloth to make sure none of that none of the liquid ended up touching her skin. The liquid dripped down the metal rod, seeping into the trap's tumbler-system. "Okay, that's magical wax. Just give it some time to harden and that trap will be useless."

"Nice work, Imoen," Keldorn said.

"Hey, it's better than having gas dissolving your lungs," Imoen said.

The casket was quickly opened, but there was disappointment in the air.

"I thought this guy was loaded," Laska said. "There's no gold here, only a skeleton."

"Good," Keldorn said. "We are not her to rob graves."

"Well, the mantle ain't 'ere either, and if I want a snog, we be needin' ta find it!" Korgan snarled.

"Say, why don't we ask him?" Imoen smiled.

"Ey?" Laska said.

"'E's dead, pinky!" Korgan said.

"I picked up this cute little spell when I was at Spellhold," Imoen said and grabbed hold of the skull of Haro.

"Imoen," Keldorn glowered. "I am not so certain if I like this turn of events. This is borderline foul magic, after all."

"Oh, stop being so boring, Keldorn," Imoen rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a Knight all the time."

"I can't help it, Imoen, I am a Knight," Keldorn nodded.

Imoen got to work. Using one hand to hold the skull, she waved arcane gestures with the other one. An eerie green glow illuminated the cavern, and suddenly, a strange shriek emanated from the skull. Imoen reverently put down the skull after she was finished.

"WHO DARES DISTURB THE SPIRIT OF HARO CONINGH?! DESPAIR, MORTAL, DESPAIR, FOR I AM AN ANGRY DEAD. THOSE WHO WOULD SUMMON ME, I CURSE YOU... MAY YOUR BRAIN SEEP OUT OF YOUR SKULL AND MAY RATS FEAST ON YOUR LIVER, LUNGS AND EYES. MAY YOU BE DIGESTED BY YOUR OWN STOMACH ACID! WHO... WHO HAS DARED TO SUMMON ME!" the skull screamed.

"Hey, dude!" Imoen greeted with a friendly smile.

"Ey?" the skull spoke, and actually turned towards Imoen. "Oh, sorry. I thought you were my annoying descendants again. They've been pestering me all year. Can't a corpse be dead in peace?"

"I take it you've met Alibakkar and Lurraxol before?" Keldorn spoke, a little uncomfortable in front of this long dead man.

"Met them?" the skull chuckled. "HAH! I've spawned the buggers. Let me give you a word of advice : never have children, they ain't worth the trouble."

"I think Keldy meant recently, skully," Imoen smiled.

"Sorry," the skull said. "But, yeah, they've been here before, trying to pry some mantle from my hands or whatnot. First Alibakkar, then Lurraxol, then Alibakkar again. It's enough to drive a deadman mad, you know? In the end, I called upon some old poker-buddies of mine to drive them away, but now they have sent you."

"Believe me," Laska said. "I'm feeling more inclined to help you instead of your descendants. You say they're both your descendants."

"Oh, yes," the skull said. "And I am NOT the founder of Trademeet. I was just a carpenter... who BUILT the first house in Trademeet... not who founded the First House of Trademeet, as those two morons claim. I was a simple carpenter, and later married one of the local harlots. She was a sweet girl, and we had two lovely daughters."

"Oh, all this should please those nobles," Laska grinned. "I can't wait to tell her about it."

"Anyway, my daughters married two wealthy merchants which started out both the Alibakkar and Lurraxol families. I only got this crypt because I'd made a dam which saved the town after a long rain-season. It was a nice gesture, but I would have preferred to have been buried next to my wife."

"Look," Laska said. "If you want to show up your relatives, you ought to let us tell them your tale, and give us the mantle to prove it. I doubt we'll get paid, but at least we'll have a lot of laughs."

"Sure," the skull said. "You'll find the mantle under my coffin. It keeps the casket from being all wobbly."

"Cute," Laska said and fished a small wooden circular mantle after lifting the coffin a bit.

"It ain't gold, so those greedy buggers never saw it even, I suppose," the skull snorted. "Serves them right."

"Volcano-wood," Keldorn said after brushing away the cobwebs. "It contains the names of both daughters..."

"I'll take that!" Lilith shouted as she descended down the stairs. There was a greedy expression on her face, and a malevolent twinkle in her eyes. "With this I can prove my claims, and allow my soldiers to attack Alibakkar! The streets will flow red with Alibakkar blood!"

"No!" said Alibakkar as he stormed in after her. "No, it will prove my right of claim! I will destroy you, Lilith, and feed Lurraxol flesh to the ducks in my pond!"

"Oh, great," the skull said. "It's tweedle-dee and tweedle-daa."

"Calm down, please," Keldorn said, putting himself between the seething nobles. "If we just talk this out like adult and reasonable people, we can..."

"GET DOWN," Laska grabbed Keldorn by the nape of his neck and yanked him to the ground just as the spells of magical fire and death started to fly over his head. The crypt was lit up by light of magic and sounds of explosions as the two threw everything they had at each other. Shouting skulls were thrown back and forth, as were magic missiles, magic arrows and force bolts.

"Bunch o'loonies!" Korgan shouted. "I ain't sleepin' with the likes o' ye, Lilith! I 'ave me standards!"

"Look out!" Keldorn shouted. Two stray force-bolts slammed into a stone column. Immediately, cracks started to appear. The earth shook as bricks started to fall from the ceiling at an alarming rate.

"That be a load-bearin' column!" Korgan shouted. "Let's get outta 'ere!"

"Wait!" Imoen shouted and ran past the still bickering nobles to grab Haro's skull.

"Come here, Imoen," Keldorn said, took the surprised girl by the waist and threw her over his shoulder.

"Hey!" Imoen shouted at Keldorn. "I have legs!"

Korgan and Laska followed suit, taking one last look at the two bickering nobles, both playing tug-of-war with the wooden mantle. "It's mine!" Lilith shouted at the top of her lungs.

"No, wench, it's mine!" Alibakkar retorted. Just then, the ceiling collapsed. And Laska could swear they were still bickering as tonnes of rock fell down and crushed them into nothingness.

Neither of them didn't even seemed to care.

"Well, that was fun," Laska said when they were outside of the collapsed grave. "Too bad we won't get paid."

"Oy!" Korgan grinned. "While we be standin' 'ere, we might as well loot both their 'omes before the guard find out."

"Not on my watch, master dwarf!" Keldorn huffed.

"Well, that's it for my descendants, then?" the skull said. "Good riddance. Say, Imoen? My dear wife's grave is still in this lot. Before you break the spell, would you be so kind as to bury my skull next to her?"

"Sure," Imoen said and took the skull under her arm, "later guys!"

Laska was left standing along while Korgan ran towards Lilith's home intending to rob it, and Keldorn in hot pursuit to keep him from doing so.

"Pardon me, miss Leafwalker?" the guard who came to investigate the noise in the graveyard asked Laska. "But you have an unpaid fine of 5 gold and..."

Three minutes later, the guard woke up in the middle of the fountain with a black eye.