Underground - somewhere
Cold, hard floor. An aching head. Aria stood up and groaned.
“That was the strangest dream I ever had -”
"There you are. Do sit down," said a silky voice.
Underground. The cavern ceiling far above. A goblin messenger in rags stood nearby. “Say... I think have been here before.”
“Did you have one of these in your dream, too?” said a familiar male voice. Aria looked at the male Drow. He held out a pair of manacles and grinned.
Aria blinked at him. The male took her arms and attempted to bind her.
“Fight!” two voices shouted in her head.
Aria struggled and attempted to turn. Her legs wobbled and her head exploded.
—--------------------------------------
Aria blinked open her eyes to see not only the Drow but several others looking at her curiously.
“Does.. this place have a vampire?” she asked as she desperately tried to gather her wits.
“Treadstone has several.” the sun elf smirked.
“Did this vampire try to kiss you?” asked the male.
So this was Treadstone. Aria swallowed. “He asked for my blood.” She looked at the Drow. “I thought that was rather forward.” Aria was amazed at her own bravado.
The male shrugged. “Let’s try again.” He moved behind Aria again and began pulling her arms into the manacles. Aria instinctively flinched and struggled, and managed to bash her head against his. She fell into darkness again.
—--------------------------------------
Aria groaned as the world stopped spinning and her view of the underground cavern returned. “Oh, please let me lie down. I don’t feel so good.”
"It's really not our fault that your body is as frail as a piece of paper," said one of the bystanders, a hooded woman who appeared familiar. “What is this…the sixth attempt? How did you choose this one to capture?!”
The Drow smirked. “The bindings are for your own good. So you cannot run.”
“I didn’t run before!” retorted Aria, immediately shutting her eyes as her head pounded and the room threatened to begin spinning again.
“You're our …. guest. You keep fainting and I don't know WHY. You just fell over all of a sudden, don't do it anymore alright?” The male was completely exasperated.
Aria allowed her eyes to grow wide. “Is this hell?” she asked in her best fearful voice.
“Depends on one’s perspective, ‘answered the Hooded Woman.
“No, but I can see why you would be confused,” said a gruff man leaning against a post, amusement in his voice.
The male Drow leaned toward her. “What is your name?”
Aria blinked and did her best to appear even giddier than she felt. “ I have a name… I… I ..was picking berries and walked into the woods..”
“You do know how to pick them,” laughed the gruff man.
“ and then… I was in the Arcane tower…”
“Your name! What is your name!” gritted the male Drow.
Aria swallowed looking at him, realizing she could only bluff so long.
“Aria. My name is Aria.”
White teeth in a wicked smile. “And who cares for you, dear?”
Think! “Lurue. Lurue takes care of me.” Aria’s eyes darted around the cavern looking for doorways. Was that a portal over there?
The Drow put away a bottle and shook his head to the female. “Anyone else? A friend, a lover?”
The sun elf rolled her eyes. “She’s talking about her goddess. What an odd woman! Perhaps she is feebleminded?”
Stall…stall… Aria thought frantically. Daun had returned briefly to the mainland so they couldn’t contact him. “Daun….Daun would take care of me.”
Aria continued her mindless charade as they continued to get names from her. Frantically, she gave the names of anyone she thought had left the island while also working to convince them she was not an escape risk.
Looking down at her clothes she wailed.” Oh, I have a stain, and a tear in my skirt. Is that a shop over there? Perhaps they have a tailoring kit?”
Eventually she ran out of safe names and had to give up possible contacts… Max… Max would help her… but she thought with enough time she could get out on her own.
“Oh, but I do like this outfit. Look,” pointing to a small hole.”If I could just get a kit I could repair this.”
The male Drow reluctantly smiled. “I do sense a Max Storm. Take her to the temple.”
Aria’s heart sank, but she vowed to make as many mental notes as possible. A report. She would need to turn in a report if, when, she was released. She swallowed.
The sun elf pulled on her bindings. “Follow me.” She said something to the male in an unknown language.
Gruff Man laughed. “I think you better save that for a safer time.”
Male Drow smirked. “Maybe let Francesca have a snack. But don't overdo it.”
The silky voice sounded off to the side. “Elven blood is one of my favorite delicacies. But no, I have some other things to attend to.”
Turning, she saw a pale woman who smiled hungrily. Aria shuddered and stood shakily next to her captor. Summoning all her acting abilities, she sighed in despair. “I’ll never get all the harnak seeds I need for my shop.”
Male Drow barked. “Follow Rithien!” Aria swallowed. Rithien Sun Elf. Francesca Vampire. Treadstone. Going to a temple. She nodded in obedience.
As they began walking toward a doorway, she asked, “Does anyone have any, er, food? I haven’t eaten all day.” She stretched her neck out to look past some shops. That did look like a portal!
Rithien scowled at her and prodded her with a sword. “Get in the Gondola.” She muttered something about a Devil’s Table.
Aria complied and decided to simply watch the route as best she could. She pretended to ignore the peculiar entourage while making mental notes: Rithein. Francesca. Treadstone. Devil's Table.
Disembarking the vessel with her hands bound was even more difficult, but she managed. Again the blade tip urged her forward into a sinister-looking building and down several hallways.
A barred door stood open. “Inside.”
Aria peered into the dank cell. “That really doesn’t look comfortable. Don’t you have a cot?”
Rithien growled. "I assure you, standing in front of me will become far less comfortable if you do not move."
Aria sighed and stepped into the cell hiding her revulsion at the filth about her. A bloodstained table filled one side. Were the walls painted black or just covered in –? Aria swallowed and then flinched when the door slammed behind her. She turned around with a brave, if innocent, face.
“No cushions?”
“Tell me about your job, “ said Rithien, pointing at Aria’s Constable badge.
“I am a Constable.”
“For Guldorand, yes?”
“Yes. I train other constables.”
“In fighting?” The Sun elf looked at her dubiously.
Aria shook her head.” I train them on De-escalation Techniques.” Aria pretended to talk distractedly while checking out her cell as she walked in a slow circle. “I stood down a whole crowd of angry people once... in an evening gown. ”It had been such a romantic night out.. and I was NOT in the mood for their shenanigans!” Rithien and her friends looked at her curiously.
She stopped at a barrel. “What is this?” and lifted the lid.
Aria immediately regretted her action. Dark, thick liquid and chunks of.. Aria gagged but covered it with a cough. “Your servants really need to clean up in here!” she exclaimed. The others laughed.
Rithein looked at her carefully. “You train others…not to fight?”she asked in disbelief.
“Well, so we don’t have to kill someone needlessly.”
“Needlessly.” echoed Rithien.
“Gain her sympathy,” a cool voice chimed.
“Pretend you are on her side,” grumbled the mocking voice.
But sometimes, “ Aria leaned against the bars, “Well, mostly…I don’t feel very good at my job.
She looked straight at Rithien. “Do YOU ever feel like your co-workers laugh at you behind your back? I mean.... they're alway polite... but...they send me on little errands while they go do the important stuff.”
“How thoughtless of them.” Rithien stepped closer to the bars. "And they never tell you about the important stuff, do they?" she purred.
“And they ask me to write up the reports. They always say I have the best handwriting.”
“And what are the others like?”
“The others? They’re…they’re guards. All good fighters.”
“But, they make you write all those reports.”
Hooded Woman mumbled, “Poor thing.”
“”Your other guards…what are their names?”
Aria continued on as if she hadn’t heard. “And I am the worst guard ever! A few weeks ago…a man followed me right into my own house. Invisible!”
“Did he now?” Rithein glanced at the two others and then back at Aria. “The other guard names..”
“And I escaped. But... I think the other guards just think I'm weak.“
"Why serve Guldorand? After all of the thankless work you give them and all you do for those around you in trying to help...? Why stay in Guldorand?"
It’s working, Aria thought. As she talked she made more mental notes about her captors, the cell, the hallway. If they would only leave her alone for a while ….
“Oh! But I love to help people! And Daun and I will be married soon. “ Aria pasted a dreamy-eyed look on her face. Then she asked, “But why do you - a sun elf - live here in Andunor?” Aria held her breath as she hoped she had guessed correctly.
Rithien blinked. “I live here of course.”
“Let me guess. Exiled from Myon? They exile or pariah everyone.”
“No, I am not of the Tel'quessir of Myon, though I would certainly be exiled or worse if they discovered me there. There are works I perform and things I aspire toward that those above were never very fond of."
“Well, I could not live here.”
"It is here you will remain until negotiations are concluded."
Aria looked around and wrinkled her nose. “This place could use a chair.” The others guffawed.
“You could always sit on the pile of skulls,” said Gruff Man.
“Well, you could certainly use a decorator.” More snickers.
A ball of light appeared in front of Rithien and spoke with the male Drow’s voice. “Rithien, hand the elf a piece of paper. Tell her to write the situation she is in now, and to sign with her name. Max will see to her release, but only if he has proof she is still lives. My patience runs thin with these people. Send me word when it is done.” The ball vanished.
Aria sighed. She had hoped to find a way to escape on her own. “Oh, dear... Max may not have that kind of gold, ‘ she mumbled.
Rithein stepped back to the bars. "Did you hear that? You are to write a message to Max explaining the situation you are in."
“What kind of note? How about some food? I am really hungry.”
Rithien exhaled. “You will write down that you are being held captive against your will and that you are asking Max to help you. You will sign the message with your name." Do we have an understanding?" A parchment was extended to her.
Aria reluctantly took the parchment and found a quill in her pocket. Turning around in the room. ”There isn’t a clean surface in here to put the paper on.” Rithien growled. “Just write the note!”
Aria scribbled hastily and returned the note to Rithien. Then she turned and began mumbling. “This is not a very hospitable place. No food… no water.. No place to rest..”
Rithien took the paper and began to read. “Max, They say I have to write to you to tell you I am alive. I am alive and well. Just hungry and desperately tired. From Aria Aspenleaf.” She looked up in exasperation. “You forgot to mention you have been captured.”
“Well, of course I have been captured! I have to mention that?”
Aria grumbled and grabbed a piece of her own parchment and rewrote her note, making a big show of stopping to think carefully as the sun elf tapped her foot.
Rithien grabbed it from her and amusingly read aloud, “Max, I am captured by very rude people. Though I am mostly unhurt, they will not feed me or give me water. I am somewhere in a cell. Please don't let Daun hear of this! He'll never let me out of his sight! Aria Aspenleaf.”
She waved the paper like a fan. “This will suffice.” and she turned and went up the hallway.
“Hey! When do I get out?”
Gruff Man walked up to the bars. “When your friends pay for it. “ He tilted his head at her. Aria somehow felt this man was more dangerous than the Drow and stepped back from the bars a bit. “Do you like riddles?” Gruff Man teased.
Aria shuddered to think what sorts of games this man played. “Riddles? Like what has two legs and -”
“No!” Gruff Man looked at her curiously. “Have you always been like this?”
“Like what? Is this about my hair? “ She blew a strand of hair out of her face. This is always about my - “
Just then, the male Drow reappeared and opened the door.
He gruffly reached for her hands before placing a key in the shackles to release her. Aria realized she had little time.
“Say... you're a drow.”
He glared at her. “No. I am an Ilythiiri.”
Aria knit her brows together. “You seem... drow.”
He grumbled. “Drow is a bastardization of an elven word Dhaerow, which means traitor in their tongue.”
“Oh, sorry! I don't mean any disrepect...just... you are Dhaerrow?”
“Are you dense? We are the Ilythiiri! ‘ he exclaimed in exasperation.
“I have never heard that term before.” Nothing wagered. Nothing gained. Aria thrust out her hand.” I am Aria. Aria Aspenleaf, an orphan from Silverymoon..”
He looked disdainfully at her hand, not touching it, but said, “I am Veszran. Veszran Val'thyrae.”
Gotcha! She thought. At least she could report who took her. “Well, hello Veszran. How - “
The Drow leaned toward and through gritted teeth rumbled, “I want you to pay attention to what I'm going to say to you. “
“You don’t have to be so -”
“You need to go to the Shadovar Trade Post. The Shadovar Tradepost. THE SHADOVAR TRADEPOST.” Each repetition grew in volume.
Aria’s face took on confusion. “I don’t have a hearing pro -”
“Where do you have to go?”
“The Shadovar Tradepost?” Aria smiled. “But that’s not where I live. Why should I - Oh!” she exclaimed as a portal lens was thrust at her.
“That is where Max and the others are waiting for you. You can go to your home from there.”
“Oh. Well, thank you.” She looked around. “You know, you should really take care of guests better. Some food, a hot beverage...”
Veszran growled menacingly.
Aria sighed and twisted the lens. Nothing happened.
Hooded Woman laughed, “The floor is warded against teleportation.”
Veszran motioned Aria out of the cell and down the hall. Aria continued, "We always served tea at the Temple of Seven Stars.” She moved her eyes about trying to catch details of the building that might help in the future.
“Your whip is at your side. Use it!” the growly voice sounded in her head.
“Trust in me,“ a silvery bell rang in her thoughts.
Veszran chuckled. “Lady, usually I flay them alive for my own amusement, especially if they don't cooperate. If I don't inflict fates far more difficult than death upon them.” He paused and smirked. “At least, if I'm not hungry.”
“Well, that won't get you a lot of friends.”
Gruff Man laughed. “Farewell!”
Hooded Woman purred. “Until next time.”
“Next time?”
Hooded Woman shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
The party stopped and looked at Aria expectantly. “Oh, here? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just take me to a portal?”
They laughed. “She must think we’re idiots!” Well, it was worth a try.
Veszran motioned to the lens in her hands. “Give it a try.”
Aria peered at Veszran carefully. “ I don't understand why you did this… I mean... you keep me here and starve me... and I have a bump on my head…” She pointed to her skirt. “I have a hole in my skirt.. You starve me… put me in a really ugly room… and now you release me!”
Hooded Woman and Gruff Man looked at each in disbelief.
Veszran’s face was suddenly next to hers. “I'm about to release you into the fugue. “
“I thought I was going to the Shadow plane?”
“You should go to the Shadovar Trade Post. While you can,” Gruff Man said quietly.
"If you don't twist that portal lens now..." warned Hooded Woman.
Clearly vexed, Veszran sputtered. “Just- Take the lens. Use it. Return to your people”
“To the Trade post? Did you forget?” asked Aria innocently.
“Aaaaaaaargh! “ Veszran’s eyes grew impossibly large and his face twisted in anger. Aria thought perhaps she may have pushed too far.
Twisting the lens, she smiled. “Goodbye!” Veszran’s arm raised.
The world spun.
—--------------------------------------
Shadovar Tradepost
“Welcome to the trade post. Stay out of trouble.”
Aria stumbled down the steps trying to get her bearings “Aria!“ She turned to see two other constables. She also realized there were multiple negotiations going on about her. Apparently, several people had been kidnapped into the Underdark.
Conversations continued, and no one seemed too concerned about her.
Aria’s head spun from the long evening, so she wordlessly stepped into the portal to go home.
—--------------------------------------
Guldorand City Square
Aria walked slowly through the square intending to go home and rest. Her head still hurt, and though her kidnapping had not resulted in torture, she still was reeling from the event.
“Aria!” Max’s voice rang out, but it seemed more angry than concerned.
Aria turned to see Max storming toward her.
“What were you thinking? You attacked those drow?’ On your own?”
“What? I didn’t… I was gathering herbs… I don’t even know how I ..” Aria stammered. “They kidnapped me!”
“You should have called for help. I would have come since Daun is not here. He will be very angry that you were so careless.”
Aria was flabbergasted. Careless? When she didn’t even remember exactly what happened? When she had just been gathering herbs?
She opened her mouth to retort, but noticed the look of concern in Max’s eyes underneath his ire. She understood he was only concerned about her.
“Max, “she pleaded. “Don’t tell Daun. I will tell him, but I want to tell him in my own time.”
“You want me to lie to Daun?” Max’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Not lie. If he asks you, ‘Was Aria kidnapped and taken to the Underdark?’ Of course, you should tell the truth. But, please, “ Aria’s eyes filled with tears, “Don’t just go and tell him. I promise I will.. I just need time. He’s not even back from the mainland. It’s not like there’s anything he can do about it now.”
Max’s face softened. “You promise? You will tell him, because if he asks me -”
“Yes! I promise. And.. I don’t think I attacked any drow… I .. I .. really don’t remember. I just wanted to go collect some harnak!”
”All right.” His mouth formed a partial smile.
“Um… how much did you have to give them?”
“Many friends chipped in …. Eight hundred bags of gold.”
“Eight hundred - ?” Aria breathed. “Well, I shall repay you right now, and you can repay everyone else.” She headed toward the Counting House to make a transfer. She would have to restock her shop to pay for her own capture!
—--------------------------------------
Guldorand City Square
Midsummer Festival a few weeks later
Daun gave a lopsided smile. “You know, I already knew about the kidnapping.”
Aria looked down, ignoring the dancing couples around them. “I figured you had. But I promised Max I would tell you myself.” She smiled bravely. “I wish he hadn’t acted so fast! I’m pretty sure I could have gotten my own release!”
Daun looked at her dubiously. “Your own release? How did you think you would manage that?”
“Well, I thought if I was really annoying, they would simply send me back. Maybe even pay someone else to take me.”
Daun looked at her aghast. “Aria! They wouldn’t have ‘sent you back!’ Did it not occur to you they simply would have killed you?”
Veszran’s last expression swam before her. “Well… yes… but Lurue always saves me! It’s not my fault if evil things seem to be attracted to me!” She laughed and turned away, quickly acting as though she was watching the other dancers rather than pondering what could have been a nasty demise.
Daun bit his lip in concern. Evil things indeed.