Jarran flexed his arms and legs to work out the stiffness. The idea of curling up in gnome-sized beds had not been appealing, so they had slept in their bedrolls on the floor. Mazzy could have slept in one of the beds, but she had refused out of a sense of camaraderie.
Jarran slipped into Jan's room to check on his companion. Jan was just climbing out of his own bedroll, and he placed his finger to his lips. He pointed to the cot set up next to the bed that held Lissa's sleeping form. He crept to the door and whispered, “If you don't mind, Jarran, I'd like to stay here with Lissa and Jaella. I… want to be here for her.”
“I understand, my friend. We'll be back soon.”
Jarran nearly swore when a voice spoke from behind him. “Let us in, Jarran. We would like to examine Jaella again.”
He stepped out of the doorway to let Jaheira and Anomen pass. Jarran shook his head. He must still be half asleep if he had failed to hear the armor-clad knight coming up behind him. He watched the two healers have a whispered conversation over the child. Anomen's face was set in a grim expression, and Jaheira was obviously trying to look unconcerned but not succeeding. Jan was trying to sneak close enough to hear their words, but they were speaking too quietly.
The druid and the priest stood. Anomen said in a low voice, “Rest assured we will do all that is possible, Jan.”
Jarran joined them as they left the room, and the three companions left Jan to his solitary vigil. They departed as soon as Valygar and Mazzy were ready, deftly avoiding a breakfast of mashed turnips. As he had the day before, Valygar kept his hood pulled up to conceal his identity. It was well known that the Cowled Wizards had many spies, and ever since reaching the city he had taken care not to advertise the fact that he had returned.
As they walked through the streets, Jarran's curiosity got the better of him. “The two of you looked awfully serious back there. Is the poor little thing that badly off?”
Anomen and Jaheira gave each other a sad look. Jaheira said slowly, “If we cannot help Jaella… I fear she does not have long.”
“Aye,” Anomen said glumly. “The lass has no more than a tenday at best. She is fading quickly.”
Jarran swore. The dire pronouncement hastened their steps, and before long they were at the Jysstev estate. Jarran used his most charming manner to wheedle their way in. Luckily the butler remembered him from his previous visit to see Sir Sarles.
They were taken to a luxurious parlor where the lady of the house sat reading. After introductions were made, Jarran went directly to the point. “I apologize for intruding on you, Lady Jysstev, but I need to locate someone who goes by the name the Hidden.”
Her jaw fell open, and her eyes widened in horror. “The Hidden? How do you know of him? Only the Enlightened Ones are permitted to speak of him.”
“Please, my lady, we are not concerned with your secrets. There is a young girl who is very ill and we have been told that this person can help her.”
“It is forbidden to speak of him, but… a young girl is ill?”
“She is dying, Lady Jysstev. She is a small innocent child who has done nothing to deserve her suffering. We only want to help her.”
Lady Jysstev sighed. “I am placing myself in danger, but I see your need. Listen, then. Below the cursed hole of avarice called the Copper Coronet, there lies a maze of sewer shafts. Find the place if you can. The entrance lies within the tavern somewhere. I shall ask the Hidden to meet you there but I do not know where he will be or if he will show up at all. He has many enemies in this city. This is all that I can do. Go now before you are seen here!”
“You have our thanks, my lady, for your help.”
As they walked, Jarran said to Anomen, “You lived at the Copper Coronet for a while, do you know anything about a sewer entrance?”
“I am afraid not. I kept to either my own chamber or the common room. I knew that such base activities as prostitution and gambling took place in the back rooms, so I avoided them.”
“Well, we'll just have to do some poking around.”
At the inn, they surreptitiously examined all the walls in the common area and checked the sleeping chambers. Since their search was unsuccessful, Jarran managed to persuade Lehtinan to allow them access to the guarded rooms by implying that he had a great deal of gold to spend. They quietly continued their examination.
Valygar pointed to a section of the wall. “There are two secret doors here.” He was about to continue when they heard a wailing noise coming from further down the hallway.
Jarran looked worried. “That sounded human. Valygar, would you slip down there and see what is going on?”
The ranger simply nodded and silently vanished down the dimly lit hall. After a few minutes he was back, his face grim. “There are people down there in cells. And I found a fighting ring with seats for spectators… and the remains of corpses.”
Jarran heard himself growl. “They're using slaves for entertainment? Someone is going to pay dearly for this.”
Anomen said, “Truly this warrants our attention, my friend, but let us do what we can for Jaella first. Then we will return and cleanse this vile den of vermin.”
Valygar slowly nodded, and added, “But we should come back quickly. There are children in the cells, so more than one child's life is at stake.”
Mazzy gasped. “Surely they would not… no, there is nothing beneath a slaver. This must not be allowed to continue.”
Jarran pointed at the doors. “Then let's get going.”
One door revealed that chains were not the only manner in which people could be enslaved. Drug-addled men and women sprawled on cushions, their hold on reality tenuous at best. Behind the second door were stairs leading down.
They descended into the sewers. They saw many odd things, but passed them by in their haste to find the Hidden. Finally they spotted a solitary figure lurking in the shadows. Jarran carefully approached the man. He found the man's appearance disturbing. The Hidden stared at them with flat, emotionless eyes that reminded the bard of a lizard or snake. There was something unsubstantial about his face, and suddenly Jarran realized that it must be a magical illusion. That was to be expected from someone who went by the name the Hidden.
The stranger said flatly, “You are here to ask me to heal the girl Jaella's mind. I will do this… for a price.”
“And what is your price?”
“I am being pursued by two creatures of evil intent. Kill them and the child will be cured. Fail, and she will die. It is that simple.”
“Why are these creatures after you?”
“I don't recall answers being part of the agreement. If you wish me to help you, then you must help me. Well?”
“All right, I agree.”
“The proprietor of a dingy flop-house in the Docks District called the Sea's Bounty knows where they can be found. Tell him that you are a seeker and he will tell you what he knows.”
“How do I know you will keep your side of the bargain and heal the girl once I am done?”
“You don't. But I am the only hope the child has, so you had better perform your task quickly.”
Not entirely happy, but left with no choice, the party made its way to the Sea's Bounty and obtained the information. They were surprised to find that the two creatures they sought were staying at the Five Flagons.
Jarran smiled at Mazzy and Valygar. “Well, you will get to see what passes for home for us. I own the playhouse beneath the inn, and we maintain our quarters there.”
Valygar gave a wry smile. “I hope it more comfortable than the floor of the Jansen home. A pity the Cowled Ones are still pursuing me, otherwise I would invite you to stay at my home.”
When they reached the inn, they discovered two githyanki in the room they had been directed to. The fight was more difficult than they expected, because the monsters summoned a magical sword that could not be harmed with weapons. Jarran managed to destroy it with magic missiles while the others fought the githyanki.
Jarran and his comrades hurried back to the sewers to tell the Hidden of their success. The stranger was waiting for them, and once more spoke before they had a chance to say anything. “The girl is healed. Now go, your usefulness is at an end.”
Jarran frowned. “How do we know that you have done what you say? And why do you have githyanki on your trail?”
The Hidden hissed, “Inquisitive fool! Can you not see the obvious?” The man's face melted away, and Jarran's eyes widened in horror as he saw a mind flayer standing in front of him. After a brief moment, the human face returned. “There is your answer. Puzzle through it at your leisure. You have served me, and I have served you in return, so at this point we have no quarrel with each other. But if you tell others of what you know of me, I will kill you. Do not doubt this.” The Hidden strode away into the shadows of the sewer.
The group stood silently for a few moments, stunned by what they had seen. Jaheira finally said, “So, the illithid and the githyanki have brought their feud to Athkatla. I wonder how Jan's uncle knew?”
Jarran sighed, “At this point I really don't care. As long as it kept its word and used its mental powers to heal Jaella, then they can fight each other until the end of time. Let's go back to Jan's home.”
They returned to find the residents of the Jansen house celebrating. Jarran and his friends went up to Jan's room, and found him beaming with happiness as he played with Jaella. “Jarran, just the person I wanted to thank! I don't know what you did, but Jaella is as fresh and pretty as a newly picked turnip.” Jarran had to chuckle at his enthusiasm, and the small girl smiled shyly at them.
Jarran looked around. “Where is Lissa?”
“Ma said there was someone here to see her. She'll be back soon.”
A few minutes later the gnome woman returned, looking nervous. “Jaella, get your things. It is time for us to go.”
Jan's face fell. “Go? What do you mean, Lis?”
“Vaelag's here. He…he wants us home.” She took the girl's hand and they left.
Jan was stunned. “No, she can't… not after all she told me.” He dashed out the door after her, and the rest of the group followed.
They found Lissa and Jaella standing with an expensively dressed gnome with two guards standing behind him. When he saw Jan and the others, he sneered. “So, here are the mighty adventurers who were supposed to save my daughter. A lot of good you did, she recovered on her own.”
“Please, Vaelag, they were only trying to help.”
“Quiet, Lissa. Don't you see that this whole business was just Jan trying to impress you? He's been trying to steal you from me ever since we first met.”
Jan said through clenched teeth, “I think we could have an interesting discussion about who stole Lissa from who. But I have one thing to say that even you will find easy to understand. Get out of this house now and I won't gut you like the pig that you are. Was that clear enough?”
“You've been traveling too much, boy. You don't know who you're talking to. Guards! Give him a lesson in manners.”
The two guards started forward, then stopped. They found themselves facing a wall of angry adventurers as Jan's five companions stepped between them and the gnome. All activity in the home ceased as the Jansen clan watched the confrontation. Jarran had his axe in his hands and gave the guards a wicked grin. “Try it. Please.”
Lissa bounded forward before things could turn violent. “Both of you stop it! You're frightening the children. Vaelag, please wait outside. I'll thank these people for showing me hospitality while you were busy.”
Vaelag scowled, but nodded. “Just be quick about it. I can't stand the stench of these slums for much longer.” With a glare, he and his guards left.
Jan went to Lissa. “Why, Lissa? How could you return to a cruel man like that? He is a beast! He is a criminal and a murderer! Why can't you see that?”
“Stop it, Jan. He has apologized and promised that he won't be cruel to us any longer.”
“And you actually believed him?” the gnome said scornfully.
“Jan! I am grateful for what you have done but you must not overstep your bounds. He is my husband and I love him.”
“What if he hurts Jaella again?”
“He won't, Jan! He's different now. You're not being fair to him.”
“Not being fair? You tell me what a monster he is and now you're shocked I believed you?”
“He promised to change. I… I have to go.”
“Goodbye, Lis. Remember, I'm still here if you need help.”
“Thank you, but I'm sure everything will be fine now.”
After Lissa and Jaella left, the companions were silent. The furtive glances they exchanged betrayed the dissatisfaction that all of them felt.
Anomen looked especially unhappy. “For years I admired my mother's patience and endurance for remaining with my father. Now I see… she was simply too weak to leave.”
Jan stirred, and looked indignant. “Lissa isn't weak! She's just… in love.” He turned to Jarran. “Now that you've met Vaelag you know what a violent bastard he is. I have contacts in the city and if I find out that he's hurt her again, I'll hurt him. If it comes to that, will you help me?”
“Of course I will, Jan. Anyone who would harm a child deserves whatever they get.”
Mazzy said sternly, “I do not wish ill upon Jaella or her mother, but the sooner we have an excuse to remove them from that fiend's clutches the better.”
Jarran gave him a grim smile. “And speaking of clutches, we have slaves to free. Let's go.”
