Veldren's Hunt: A story

[Attalus]

Hi, I got back on with a new ISP. Curse aoHell.

Veldren, who had been on the verge of asking for the whip as a good first step in his trophy collection, revised that plan rapidly. He stared with fascination at the repellant thing, horrified that it might have ended his mother’s life, all from a little inattention on her part. Lucky that she had caution ingrained into her by her years in the Underdark. Viconia seemed to feel a little of this, too, as she glared at the little needle a little longer than was her wont. She shook off the feeling. “Well, Imoen, I must thank you for your help and must remember to thank Helm that you were in the city. Can you look and see if there is anything else inside?”
“Sure,” Imoen responded happily, and felt around with an implement. She was at once rewarded with a piece of vellum, the size of a letter rolled up. They spread it on the table. It was in Drow, and Viconia translated.

“It is from Matron Mother Palpebra D’Xinnig.” she said, eyes rapidly scanning the page. “She greets Shal’drissa Despana, High Priestess of Lloth, whom I take to be this whip’s late owner, and expresses enthusiasm for Shal’drissa’s wonderful plan to redeem themselves in Lloth’s eyes. She stresses the need for a suitable sacrifice to prove their loyalty and earnestness. This is about all, and confirms all we know about their seeking a sacrifice. But, what is this about ‘redeeming’ themselves? From their defeat at our hands, perhaps? That would explain the timing, with the great celebration coming in just a few days. How out of sorts Lloth must be that we are going to celebrate her defeat! What a blight it would have put on the feast if our elven emissary were to be kidnapped under our very noses and then sacrificed to black Lloth. The favors that she would have showered on the perpetuators would have been considerable.”
Attalus’ face, already grim since Imoen had said her piece about the poisoned needle, deepened into a scowl. “We cannot let this go unpunished,” he avowed. “I shall not allow the slaves of Lloth to plot under my very nose for all eternity. Some action must be taken.”
A slight smile appeared on Viconia’s lips. “A point indeed, husband,” she answered meditatively, and I think I know of one, with your approval, of course.” She looked at him satirically.
“Hmf. As if you have ever bothered to ask my permission before,” Attalus replied. “What devious plot do you have in mind, lady wife?”
“Not devious at all, just tricky,” Viconia answered. They all discussed it and agreed.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

thanks for posting Att great read. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Kaltia]

[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Attalus]

Ha! With <font color=lavender>Galadria's</font> help, I found the Missing Floppy, so here is some more:

A few days later, Imoen came to Attalus and Viconia's house with a small sack. It was, in fact, a Bag of Holding, much larger on the inside than the outside. The butler let her in and she found the family gathering in the front hall, fully armed and armored for an expedition, as was she. "Heya, Big Brother," she said brightly. "I've got it right here. It didn't come cheap, but that wasn't the point, was it?" She hugged Viconia and Veldren in turn. They all seemed quivering with anticipation, except Attalus, who was as serious and thoughtful as ever.
Veldren, for his part, was amazed at the change in his parents since this whole episode had begun. Like most young men, he viewed his parents as rather out of it, though he certainly respected his father's immense strength, to which many a friendly contest would attest, and his mother's cat-like grace and delicacy. But, seeing them in their armor and hearing them banter with jokes seemingly told many times before on the outset of an expedition cast them in a new light. They were adventurers, again, not Duke of Baldur's Gate and his lady, and his famous sister. Also, the thought intruded, they were highly skilled and experienced, and he was by far the junior member of the party. He resolved to be very observant and not be a hindrance.
The next few days were spent traveling, without much by the way of incident. Veldren complained about the lack of adventure to his aunt, who was much easier to talk to than his parents. "So," Imoen replied with a twinkle in her eye, "complaining about the lack of chances to risk your life, huh? Well, just think of this. You are a bandit, right? Eager to rob somebody for their arms and treasure." Veldren nodded eagerly at the thought of hiding in the bushes, watching the road. "So," his aunt continued, "you see, not a caravan of merchants with a few thugs, maybe, as bodyguards, or a family armed with clubs and spears driving their sheep to market, but - us." She laughed at his look of skepticism.. "Not me, silly, I know I'm not scary at all, but, your father and mother? A giant of a man, in full plate? A Drow Elf, armored, too, with that great hammer of hers? Nope, unless it's a wild beast or crazy, they aren't going to attack us."
So it proved, and soon they reached a group of temples, apparently elvish in architecture. A muscular elf in green came out to greet them. Attalus waved, though Viconia remained still on her horse.
"By the Rhyn Lanthorn that you restored to us," the elf cried in a friendly voice, "you have changed little since the last time I saw you, Attalus." His smile changed slightly as he surveyed Viconia. "And this, as I remember well, is Viconia, now your lady wife, I hear. My duty, madam." He bowed gracefully, after the elven fashion.
Viconia tossed her head. "And you, Elhan," she replied grimly. "I note that you do not say that you are glad to see me again. Even though I did as much as my husband to restore that elvish trinket. I suppose it sticks in your craw to think that you might have been wrong about me. You should also know that without our son, Velden,here, King Fandorn would be mouning his daughter, and Princess Novenna's heart would be smoking on one of Lloth's foul altars."
Elhan's smile grew grim. "I will readily admit that I was wrong to suspect you, then, my lady. I know Novenna well, and would have been grieved if the evil drow plot that we have heard of had gone through. So, this is the young man?" Veldren blushed slightly at his frank appraisal. "My thanks to you, then, Veldren. You did better than you knew in saving Novenna, for she has been singing your praises ever since she got back. In fact, that is one of the reasons that I have journeyed here to meet with your family." He turned back to the sire.
"Attalus," he continued, "I think that your plan is excellent, and I am here to tell you that the elves of this kingdom will be behind Baldur's Gate wholeheartedly. If war is your decision, we hall back you. Now, good speed on your journey. I must return to Suldenessallar. We are mobilising." He nodded, and mounted his waiting horse being held by a group of war elves. They all rode off.
Viconia allowed a smile of satisfaction to cross her face. "How many years have I waited to hear those words on his haughty lips?" she asked nobody in particular. "Ay, well, there's some reward for all the truble that you have caused me over the years, Veldren." She gave him a mischievous look, then, in a rare gesture of maternal affection, she rode her horse over to his and kissed him.

The glow of satisfaction quickly gave way to activity on their part, however. They took their horses into the stables and paid the ostler for several days' board, unpacked their horses, then trooped into the temple. An aged elf priest met them with a smile on his face. "So," he said, "you are going to do something to the drow, eh? The drow of Lloth, I should say, milady," he quickly added, seeing Viconia and immediately recognizing her. "Come this way. We rarely undo this door, but there can be no doubt of the justice of your cause. Rillifane aid you." They went down to the cellar, where a heavily-barred door led into the Underdark. He removed the spell that bound it, and opened it cautiously. Nothing was to be seen, only the long loneliness of the tunnels and caves.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

*grin* this gets better nice work Att [img]smile.gif[/img] post some more sometime, please? *grins* lol, I didnt like that pompus elf either...

[Attalus]

Hey, when an Elf like you doesn't like him, I know I'm really not alone. Will try and post again this afternoon.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Thanks Att... actually, I was expecting a warmer welcome to be hoenst... blasted elves... considering I played one myself, I expected/hoped that whatsherface, elf queen WOULD have welcomed my char "home" as a lost child/hero...(all things considered, from BG1 that hes an elf of 20 yrs old, a mere child) instead, they give him a necklass and send him on his way! BAH!. btw, check CCs

[Kaltia]

Well, considering he had the power to blow them all up, i think that's justified [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

*grumbles* I dont. Just because you CAN, doesnt mean you SHOULD. Besides, Cal's one of the "good guys"... he saved their entire city! And saved ALL of the elves that were fighting in the underdark. ALL of them. Not ONE fell to the drow. *grumbles about wasting good healing spells on ungrateful arrogent stuck up...* bah, I was still annoyed at the elves reaction to my char.

[Kaltia]

Hmm, I think the elves have a point though, calthy. they have to cater for EVERY race, as well.