Viconia' s Return to the Underdark

"I used to work for the guild. Used to have headmaster, but, this city is kinda small for my liking. And to many flaming fist. Hate those guys, so I decided for the next best thing. I run a main guildhall, and below me are many guilds stationed around. I'm in league with the Shadow Thieves, but thats it. I run many operations, so feel free to stop by.
(Speaking to Galadria) "Lady Galadria, you may keep it. One with such an artifact and such a reputation best not be around with it. It'll blow my cover, and this city, well hates me. The guild keeps me safe, and my appartment, not to far from here. It runs below to the sewers, where a minor thief guild stays. Its now safe to go in the sewers thanx to some heroic people that cleared out the trouble."
(Speaking to Viciona)"A man was spying on you, or at least one of you. He wanted to capture you, and said you would not survive the trip. I fear you life may be in great peril, and the Flaming Fist will come around to look for me, and if they see you, they'll be in a jackpot.

[Legolas]

"Me? A thief? No, no, you've got it all wrong. I told you I look after valuable items. Polish them, repaint them, bring them to a wizard to refocus the flow of magic... I wouldn't dream of stealing anything. I am perfectly honest, you see.
Which reminds me, ehr.. Secretmaster, would you care to return that ring to the Hall where it belongs? Maybe I'll get a raise for it. You just give it to me, and I'll see to it that it is returned. I'll give you a Zircon gem for your toubles.
Now, with your permission, I will start dusting your extraordinary collection.
But, ehr.. there's one small problem. I left my tools at home. So, I'll just be going then."

Skip thinks a moment before asking
"By the way, there aren't any guardsmen out there, are there? Because, well, they always pick on me for no good reason. They scare me, you know..."

He is working hard to keep an honest look on his face. If they catch him, he's toast. Freelance always worked better that the guilds. No quota, no thievery cap. No responsibilities and a lot of freedom. But, unfortunately, no protection from other thieves. And this woman seemed to be a member of the most powerful guild around. He started sweating again.

[Galadria]

VICONIA
(to Secretmaster)(puts her hand on his arm fixes him with her softly luminous black eyes, smiling gratefully)"It was good of you to tell me of this. I feel that I know you. I will feel safer, knowing that you are on the trip with us."
(to Galadria)"Abbil, he speaks true. How soon may we leave?"
Galadria
"As soon as may be. Everyone, make your preparations. We must go by nightfall, to screen us from prying eyes. Viconia, you are not to leave the house until we do."

[Legolas]

"Yes, yes. You go ahead. I'll try and keep an eye on the house while I'm tending to the weapons and armour, keep any thieves from coming in, sending your enemies off in the wrong direction, the usual. Well, good luck, and try not to get yourself killed, okay?"

"Hmm, you remind me of sombody Skip. Were you the one who had once come to my guildhall to learn the valuable pricing of gems, or was it sombody else. Oh, here's the ring (hands Skip the ring) and don't pay me, I'm extremely wealthy, and anyway, we should get going. We best leave by nightfall, for the cover of darkness will aid us. But the choice is yours (speaks to Galadria)."

[Galadria]

ATTALUS
(lays huge, calloused hand on Skip's shoulder)"Now look here, young fellow-me-lad, you're going with us as far at least as the entrance to the Underdark. How do I know that you are not some spy, seeking to pin down Vicky's position for Lolth or some other foul creature? Have a seat in the hall. I'll just let my dog watch over you until it's time to go." (Calls Tethyrean Mastiff, much larger and fiercer than other varieties, and completely devoted to him) "Bortan, watch this one. If he tries to leave, he's yours."
GALADRIA
"I certainly agree, Secretmaster, nightfall it is,"

"Wise move Attalus, but consider this as a game of chess. Your house is the king. If you leave the king unguarded, checkmate. Your house is valuable, and so is Viciona. So we have two kings really, and it is best if both are guarded. And I doubt he is a spy, for this Skip, looks so familiar. I've seen him before, maybe he was the person I taught."

"(to Attalus) I bet I could hire some guards, and they're not thieves. It's my adventuring party, and they are at the Blade and Stars inn. I could go get em."

[Galadria]

ATTALUS
(laughs in his bluff way) You raise a good point, Secretmaster, but fear not. Galadria has fearsome magical wards set about the place. I'm almost afraid to go to the bathroom at night. See that statue over there? That's a Juggernaut Golem that Gal can activate with a thought, or if an alarm is set off. And I can trust my old comrade Odo and his guard, who live here, to forstall any invasion whilst we are gone. But I would be glad to meet with your old party, to augment my guards while we are gone."

"Wow, and it doesn't even look guarded. Well done I say. It would take me about 7 hours to disarm one of these wards and with guards, no thief can do it. Not even one of the greatest thiefs of them all can't. He's my buddy Rats, and he looted an evil necromancers house without setting loose any traps in 1 night. It was a great achievment for him, and he is my boss. Anyway, I'll go get them, but I must travel swiftly and move without being noticed." SecretMaster slips out the door silently, and as Attalus looks out the window, he sees SecretMaster use his stealth tequnique to meld into the day. He can only see a bit of him, and he is well hidden