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[Arcalian]

It was an epic battle, highlighting the furious blood feud between the Drow and the Elves. It had been going on for days and showed no signs of letting up. It would be recorded in the annals of both races as one of the great clashes in this endless rivalry.

Then Adrian's party arrived....and while the siege of Suldanessalar was far from over, this particular battle near the passge to the Underdark was abruptly over.

Imoen dropped a Red Dragon Fireball on the Drow, and Edwin summoned one of his fearsome Dark Planetars. Zavrian was a whirling fury of katars. Adrian himself, of course, was awesome to behold. Viconia beat down her former kindred mercilessly.

The Drow scattered or died within minutes.

"I do not understand," said an Elven Archer, bow pulled back but not firing. "Why does this Drow stand against her kin?"

Viconia turned, ignoring the arrow, and smiled cruelly. "Treachery is ever our nature as you know, surfacer. But in this case, talk to the Human warlord there. I serve him.'

The Elves uncertainly turned their gaze to Adrian. Within the Bhaalspawn, Bhaal urged the transformation into the Slayer. With great reluctance, Adrian refused. He would destroy these Elves only if he must.

He little realized how much they would provoke him.

----

The Elves led the party to their General, a grim, scarred Elf with his age showing in the depths of his eyes. Was he actually so old that there were flecks of gray in his hair? Was that even possible for an Elf? Or was it a dye, an affectation? Viconia was curious.

Adrian was not curious. He was businesslike. Stifling Bhaal with great difficulty, he related the important parts of his tale to the General, ignoring the statements of his truth-telling mages.

"So you have your own feud with Irenicus," the General nodded thoughtfully. "It is not surprising, he poisons all he touches and angers all who do not bow to him. A common tale. Perhaps we can help eachother."

"That would be a thing to hope for," Adrian said, straining to keep Bhaal down.

Father, not now. Can't you see helping these Elves will speed the restoration of my soul? You said you wished to aid me towards that end, or were you lying?

I ALSO SAID I WISHED YOU TO BE AS MUCH MY RIGHTFUL HEIR AS POSSIBLE ERE THAT HAPPENED.

Well that's fine for you, but even with your help Imoen and I will waste away, albeit far more slowly. Be assured, if these Elves try my patience overmuch I will destroy them.

VERY WELL.

The General was still talking. "We cannot re-enter Suldanessalar. Even as Drow challenge the gate, those of us outside it are denied entry. I can only conclude that Irenicus stole it and twisted it's magic to only allow his armies in, and keep loyal servants of the Queen out."

"And logically, if the mage has it not on his own person, he would give it to Bhodi, his sister."

"You know that she is...? Never mind. Obviously there is much of your tale I have not yet heard. We shall give you stakes and holy water with which to combat her. If she is not with Irenicus, than she will undoubtedly have retreated to her own haunts, wherever those are."

"The Graveyards of the human city of Athkatla," Viconia supplied.

The General eyed her uneasily. "Er....yes, that would make sense. The largest surfacer settlement nearby. I wonder, Drow, why do you help this human?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I am an exile and renegade from my own people. He took me in. I follow him."

"A Drow female serving a male? Unlikely. And I can feel the evil still in you."

"Evil I am," she agreed, simply. "But one does not need to be 'good' to be a renegade. One only needs to fail to serve Lolth. And you may have noticed, Adrian is hardly a saint himself."

The General nodded. "Very well...but just because you are loyal to him, does not mean you will not betray us at the first opportunity. Therefore, I must insist you accept a Geas so that--"

"No," Adrian interrupted.

"Szinsring, it will ease matters. I would rather have them silent, than waiting to put an arrow in my back."

"No, Viconia. I shall not allow it. They will accept our help without strings, or they shall not have it at all."

"Think carefully, mortal," the General warned. "You are surrounded by our troops. You would not survive."

"Wrong answer, pointy eared hypocrite. Do not try my patience. We destroyed the Drow, we can destroy you."

"You dare?!?" The General made a gesture, and bows were raised around the party.

"I more than dare, I command. You step aside, or we will kill you all. We are more than powerful enough!" Adrian began to tremble. Bhaal wanted him to be the Slayer. He refused that, but nevertheless his father's power began to glow through his eyes, and his whole body trembled with rage. Behind him, Imoen also resisted the Slayer change, though her hands were coated with frost and her breath made a deeper mist in the air than the mere winter weather could cause.

"Szinsring no!" Viconia put an arm on him. "We need them! I will accept the Geas!"

"No," Adrian said simply. "I appreciate your patience in this matter Viconia, but I have none. They help us or they FALL." The last word echoed around the clearing in the woods. The Elves trembled to hear it. Adrian's own party trembled to hear it.

"Szinsring! Please!"

The General stared at the man before him. Saw the Drow being the voice of reason, trying to restrain him. Saw the terrified yet still fell troupe behind him, that would follow his orders. He still beleived he could take this man down, and his group, yes.....but that he might loose too many of his own troops in the killing. Depriving Suldanessalar of defenders sorely needed.

"Perhaps," The General said as quietly as he could, "You might tell me more of your own feud with Irenicus?"

Adrian smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. His eyes glowed with Bhaal essence. "Are you familiar, tree-ling, of the fall of the Human god Bhaal, and the rise of Cyric?"

"That bloody succession is known to me, yes," the General agreed. "What has that to do with Irenicus?"

"It has to do with him only in regards to his interest in me and my sister," Adrian snarled, gesturing to Imoen. He was still white-hot angry, trembling even as he talked. Viconia clung to him desperately, fearing he might still snap. "You see," Adrian went on, "There is more to that tale than you know..."

[Laufey]

The Elves uncertainly turned their gaze to Adrian. Within the Bhaalspawn, Bhaal urged the transformation into the Slayer. With great reluctance, Adrian refused. He would destroy these Elves only if he must.

He little realized how much they would provoke him.

Oh yes. Each time I play that part, I wish it was possible to kill them all.

----

The Elves led the party to their General, a grim, scarred Elf with his age showing in the depths of his eyes. Was he actually so old that there were flecks of gray in his hair? Was that even possible for an Elf? Or was it a dye, an affectation? Viconia was curious.

An interesting idea that - dying your hair to *make* it grey. It does make sense for an elf though, I agree.

Father, not now. Can't you see helping these Elves will speed the restoration of my soul? You said you wished to aid me towards that end, or were you lying?

I ALSO SAID I WISHED YOU TO BE AS MUCH MY RIGHTFUL HEIR AS POSSIBLE ERE THAT HAPPENED.

Give in to the Dark Side, Adrian!

"No," Adrian said simply. "I appreciate your patience in this matter Viconia, but I have none. They help us or they FALL." The last word echoed around the clearing in the woods. The Elves trembled to hear it. Adrian's own party trembled to hear it.

Ooooh, I do hope Adrian gets a chance to kill the elven soldiers later!