As they walked from Qu’ellar Ssinssrigg to the Dark Embrace, Rygos asked, “You don’t think he was serious do you?”

“About what?” Valas replied.

“About talking to a Evony. I have a feeling that would be a terrible idea.”

Valas nodded his head in agreement “He may be. Naris means well. But you’re not wrong. You know how volatile Evony can be. And the guild seems to do whatever she asks.”

“Well let’s hope he reconsiders or thinks better of it. Perhaps Nazmyr can reason with him.” Rygos said with a hint of optimism.

They arrived at The Dark Embrace in short time. From outside they could see it was busy with patrons. Loud raucous noise and music could be heard from the street. They walked inside and indeed the inn was alive with song and guests drinking. Yet even with the crowd, two empty chairs remained at the bar. As Valas walked in Evony immediately made eye contact with him. It was if she had been watching the door for his arrival. She held his gaze for an uncomfortable couple of seconds before averting her eyes to the two empty chairs and turning away.

Valas took the hint and elbowed Rygos, tilting his head toward the bar stools. They walked over and assumed their place at the counter. Evony had poured two tumblers of black liquid with a swirl of red moving through it. Valas recognized it, Widows Bite, a cask strength brandy, harsh and potent. No sooner had the drinks appeared when Elarra placed two plates of hot food in front of them.

Rygos looked at Valas somewhat concerned. “Are we in trouble?”

Valas poked his finger into the sauce of the stew. Spicy but not overly salted. “No more than normal.” He grinned raising his glass and bowing to Evony. “My love.” He said pleasantly.

She stared at him for a moment before speaking. “Charwyn’s been back for hours. Where have you been?” There was some menace in her tone. “I guess I’m not important enough to be your first stop. I mean it’s not like I’d have been worried about you or anything.”

“There were matters to discuss. Loose ends to tie. Charwyn said he’d tell of our return.”

“Charwyn…” She said with stiffness in her voice. “I’d rather hear it from you.”

“I understand. I only thought…”

“You really don’t understand…and you certainly haven’t put enough thought into the idea that maybe…and I do mean just maybe…. I’ve become fond of you. And when you run off trying to get killed I wor… Had you thought at all you’d have come here first…if even for a moment.” She shook her head in disappointment. “I expected better of you Valas.”

“And you.” She turned her ire to Rygos. “I have always thought you to be the responsible one…the considerate brother who always does the right thing. Perhaps I’m wrong. Surely you’re no better than this one if you failed to see the right thing to do is always return here first.

The two brothers sat like chided children. Silent and remorseful.

“There they are!” Came a cheerful voice. “There are my guys!”  Charwyn walked over putting his arms around Valas and Rygos both. “Don’t be so hard on them Evony. It’s really more my fault. I suggested they conclude their business before returning. If there is blame to go around then certainly mine should be the greatest share.”

Evony’s eyes were filled with malevolence. If a look could be a weapon then for sure daggers would have shot from her eyes. “You shut up. This doesn’t concern you.”

“Of course it does. After all, besides the Vandree, I am the only other to actually see what they accomplished. You should be celebrating their success not chastising them because Valas wounded your over sensitive feelings. You can be such a girl sometimes Evony.”

Valas and Rygos froze fully expecting Evony to reach between them, across the bar, and dig his heart out from his chest with her spoon. “Girl. Her eyes were ablaze with rage.”

Valas quickly spun. His hand moved to his waist but got caught up on something. It took less than a moment for him to realize it was Talice’s hand that had snagged his own.

She had pressed tightly into him holding his wrist firm. A breath away, she was sure no one had noticed, none were the wiser.

Charwyn could see the anger in Valas’ eyes and sought to diffuse the situation. “Apologies Valas… to you and the lady D’Marquis. I fear the drink may have gotten the better of my tongue. I meant no harm or insult my friend.”

Evony who had been grinning quite pleased with Valas and his quickness to defend her said. “It’s all good Charwyn. No insult taken.” She nodded to Valas who relaxed as Talice released her hold. “But do tell me…I am most interested to hear the tale of how they found you.”

“Perhaps We should retire to somewhere more…comfortable.” Charwyn suggested.

“Elarra. You have the bar.” Evony ordered as she walked out from behind the counter meeting Valas as Charwyn led the group beyond the double doors into the ‘Members Only’ section of the inn. The large space, larger than one would have expected considering the footprint of the structure, had dark hardwood floors with an ornate fine woven area rug laid in the middle of the room near a fireplace surrounded by couches and some soft cushioned chairs.  A roaring fire burned excitedly in the hearth, dancing with glee and crackling with a cackle laugh. The largest chair directly facing the flames was taken. Eldrar T’sith sat quietly smoking a pipe, relaxing with a crystal tumbler of amber liquid in his right hand.

“Please sit. All of you. If my intuition serves me well then I believe we are about to enjoy a tale…a tale of my young Lords of Vandree and their expedition to the City of Spiders.” He puffed on his pipe releasing a cloud of sweet yet pungent smoke.

Talice sat on a sofa toward the right nearest the flames. A crystal decanter and several glasses rested on a nearby end table. Rygos took the opposing seat mirrored across from the Mistress of Assassination. Charwyn found himself comfortable in the soft black satin cushioned chair to Eldrar T’sith’s left. Evony wove her fingers through Valas’ leading him past the chair on the guildmaster’s right toward the couch where Talice was seated.  The sofa was obviously too small for the three of them to sit spaced apart. She leaned into him forcing him down before sitting on his lap. She draped her left arm around his shoulders plucking at the back of his hair. Her right hand accepted the glass Talice had offered her.

Master Kophyn was sitting quietly in a corner reading from a worn and dusty tome when the group walked in. He seemed to take an interest in them as the found places to sit. As Charwyn leaned forward, obviously about to impart his tale he walked over and placed his hand on the empty chair to the guildmaster’s right. “Room for one more perhaps?” He asked politely.

“Of course Master Kophyn.” Rygos said with feeling.

“Splendid.” He replied sitting in the soft red satin cushioned chair. “If there is a tale being told then I’d love to hear how my prize pupil is faring in the real world.” He pulled a pipe from his robe and lit it. It was obvious he would be listening intently.

Charwyn who had been leaning forward began. “I was away on business for Mistress Freth when word reached me that the stalactite had fallen…” he paused and exhaled sharply. “…quite literally and that Mistress Freth had been killed. I’d known Karis for some time and felt obligated to seek vengeance against those who had wronged her. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the rest of you followed.” He said waving his hand toward Rygos then Valas. He took a long sip from his drink then looked at Rygos. “You must know how well regarded you and your brothers were.” He turned to Valas. “It was no secret she was particularly fond of you…and Nazmyr of course.”

Evony shifted uncomfortably and Valas could feel a pinch in the nape of his neck where Evony’s fingers had been twirling his hair.

Charwyn continued, “So I snuck into the city…no easy task considering the demonic incursion and newly added protections. It was difficult enough for me, I’d love to know how you managed get eight armed and wanted warriors past the town guard…” He paused for a moment but when neither Valas nor Rygos commented he shrugged and continued. “I worked my way through the city and into the Vandree Compound. Very well guarded. Your family is quite formidable and set some impressive defenses. I was able to gather information that Mistress Freth’s body was in the temple being prepared for sacrifice. I accessed the main villa easy enough but unfortunately my entrance into the lower cellar leading to the temple did not go undetected.” He drew another mouthful of the amber liquid from his glass. “That’s when you gents caught up with me. I had managed to kill several guards but had been pressed into defense by the remaining four.” He smiled angling his glass toward Valas then your handsome lord appeared Miss Evony…and with him that nasty long knife of his. Jabbed it straight through the right side ribs and out the left he did, directly between 6 and 7 I’d suppose, killing him instantly. Your teaching Talice I’m to assume.” He smiled then looked at Rygos “Then I saw you, fingers stretched. Poof!  Drow dust. Nothing left. Your brothers finished the other two before I could even properly nod a greeting to you.”

Master Kophyn beamed with pride. Talice offered Valas a slanted glance and nearly imperceptible nod. It was not lost on him or Evony who smiled broadly. “So you are capable of learning new things.” She said with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice.  Rygos chuckled and even Talice broke into a grin. Evony leaned into him withdrawing her hand from behind his head and resting it on her lap where she held his hand.

“Of course they were waiting for us at the top of the landing. A whole company of soldiers, led by a captain and priestess. Neither lasted long and the soldiers were killed quickly enough. I couldn’t have myself be outdone by you lot…” he said motioning to Valas and Rygos “…so even I felt compelled to wade in to the melee, though Alaketh had made short work of the right half and Rygos over here sandblasted the left, quite a few magic tricks in that arsenal of his.”

“I would hope there would be.” Master Kophyn replied with confidence. Perhaps the best apprentice I’ve ever taught..and for a 400 year old wizard that’s saying something.”

Valas raised the glass in his left hand as his right had been pinned to Evony’s hip, held firm in the grasp of her left hand. “All too true brother.”

Rygos smiled pleased with himself.

“So we get to the temple… Massive burnished gold doors…Locked.” Charwyn scoffed. “Not for this one. He’s got quite a skillful touch if I may be so bold.. but I’m guessing you already know that Lady D’Marquis.” He grinned with mischief as she made a face at him. “Anyhow. In the time it took our fair barkeep to blink the traps are gone…a breath later the door unlocks. I’m telling you Master T’sith, if he wasn’t such a natural killer he’d have made a better than fair cat burglar.”

Eldrar T’sith nodded his head attentively then took a long pull from his pipe filling the air with more sweet smoke. “Go on. I feel there are interesting events about to occur.”

“You’re not wrong my master. The doors open freely and what do we see. Not just a high priestess of the foul spider goddess…no…not even just her bodyguards alongside her…the nasty bitch had an assassin as well. Oh and I may be remiss in not mentioning the giant Balor she summoned and his four demon friends… not a fight I felt favored us that’s for sure but there was nowhere to go. We had collapsed the tunnel behind us to slow down the few thousand Vandree soldiers on our tail so forward it was. I moved past the hideous Balor to work on the priestess but got intercepted by her own assassin. Meanwhile Valas broke right while his brother Naris broke left.”

Eldrar T’sith made a face like someone dragged moldy cheese beneath his nose,  indicating his distaste for their brother.

“He doesn’t like him.” Evony whispered in Valas’ ear.

“I got that.” He whispered back.

“I don’t like him either.” She said with a smile.

Valas shook his head as Charwyn continued.

“The priestess opened with some tentacle incantation that was easily countered by two of the Vandree mages.” He angled his drink toward Valas and Evony saying “You’re body pillow there tumbled and rolled and cut through the first demon like Elarra carving meats for the dinner rush. Dead before it hit the ground.” He laughed to himself. “Poor creature couldn’t even return to his home plane. The house had protections from teleportation and any other magical movement. Anyway, Rygos gestured toward the priestess and she shrieked in pain before invoking some dark magic herself. Meanwhile Alaketh charged the Balor and as he did he taunted the whole room…yelling something about it being his house.” Charwyn paused…”but for my money… the most impressive maneuver came when that armored fool rushed you Valas. If I didn’t know any better I’d have believed you were studying him the entire time because as soon as he got within blade range you killed him clean as I’d ever seen. Poor fa’la zatoast never had a chance. It took no more than a mere minute for Alaketh to goad everyone around him, blinding them to the dangers his brothers presented. I watched as Nazmyr stunned a demon and Valas skillfully executed it with a coup de gras. After that, if I’m being honest, I kinda lost them in the chaos until the priestess exploded. I guess she didn’t like being killed and tried to take everyone with her.”

“So if you caved in the tunnel behind you and couldn’t teleport, how did you escape?” Master T’sith asked with curiosity in his voice.

“Valas is quite resourceful. He used some magic staff to cut a tunnel into the wall straight through to the outskirts of the city. After we were beyond the city protections getting home was easy as an incantation.” Noticing his glass was empty Charwyn stood and walked over to where Talice and a full bottle of whisky sat undisturbed. He stopped a step away. “May I Talice?”

She waved her hand toward the bottle inviting him closer.

Charwyn unstoppered the bottle and topped off all the glasses he passed as he made his way back to his seat.

“Impressive my young Lords of Vandree. I hold the contract filled.” Eldrar T’sith announced.

“There are sure to be some left who took part in the raid. Should they not be given the gift as well?” Valas asked.

“Targets of opportunity my young lord. There is no need to pursue the contract further…however you are not wrong. Should by some happenstance you cross paths with one proven responsible for the attack on your former Mistress then by all means the gift may be given, their life forfeit. But trouble yourself no more with this. I see great things happening for you both in the not so far future. Great things indeed.”

“And well you should.” Master Kophyn said in affirmation. Charwyn is not one to embellish. This report pleases me Rygos.”

“Thank you Master.” Rygos replied graciously.

Valas looked at Mistress Talice.

“What? Are you waiting for me to praise you for doing exactly what I taught you to do?” She smirked. “As if. You should be complimenting me for my excellent lessons which so obviously kept you alive.”

Valas bowed as best he could with Evony sitting on him pressed against him. “I am most grateful for your many lessons.” He said with a smile.

Evony poked him sharply in the ribs.

He jumped a little as Talice’s smirk grew into a smile. “I will never forget them.” He said with a yearning to rub his side where the phantom pain of her ‘lessons’ emanated from, but he found himself unable due to his lack of free hands.

“See that you don’t.” She grinned.

Time passed and the conversation turned to the more mundane as they sat enjoying the fire and potent drink, for today at least, the Vandree brothers seemed happy.