Chapter 10: The City of Spiders

Elayna asks, "Has Gromph been seen ever since his... thing?"

His... "thing"? Cal asks, looking at Elayna.

Elayna nods. "His thing. The big ritual that caused this whole mess."

Calidaer nods, pursing his lips at his lack of awareness. Of course she was talking about *that*. I suppose he would not show his face anywhere around here after that.

Aww, they completely ignored Lyra's introduction. Half of them didn't even give their names!

Lyra comments, visibly bummed out, as she tries to keep up with the rest of the party.

They're professionals, that's why I warned you not to get too silly with your displays. Hey, how about turning on your Armor of Shadows now?

The mysterious voice keeps sounding like a minder of sorts, telling Lyra what to do. The girl merely nods and does a quick gesture with her hand, at which point a soft glow begins emanating from the mirror: anyone who keeps looking at the girl will notice a shadowy, vaguely humanoid figure, of size and shape similar to Lyra's own, emerging from the mirror's surface and superimposing itself on top of the girl's body, delicately covering it with an almost completely transparent, but still barely visible, barrier.

Much better. At least now I can see our new friends. So anyway, if I may be so bold as to propose a course of action...

Once again the voice is trying to address the whole party

... the way I see it, the matter at hand essentially consists of three steps: dealing with hostiles, disarming traps, and securing the grimoire itself. Myself and Lyra have never met an enemy we couldn't just brute force our way through with sheer magical power, and if we're dealing with constructs and/or summons here, then it's safe to assume such a trend will continue. As such, we can assume enemies will be a non-factor as long as you mortals can keep up with us.

Misha, you shouldn't be so rude to these people if we want to get along...

Adults are talking, Lyra. Anyway, the second step involves traps: unfortunately, both a magical artillery like Lyra and a valiant knight like Master Cal are ill equipped to deal with such finesse-based work. If it's just a matter of locked doors Lyra can blow them up, but it would probably be safer to leave this aspect to an expert of the field. I trust you people would have such an expert among yourselves?

But despite having asked a question, the voice continues without waiting for an answer

Which leaves the grimoire itself. How well should we expect it to be protected, in terms of "unspeakable curses that eat your soul the moment you so much as peek at its pages"? In my experience, mortals who consort with my kind are often fond of such theatrics.

This last question is aimed at their drow employer.

Confused by the barage of sudden monologue from Lyra, Seftan turns his head to focus fully on the now shadowy figure.

We have a good trap man, not to worry about that he whispers to the girl so as not to disrupt the questions Elayna was asking.

"You're too kind, wizard," Ælfric said with a slight bow, "but you're right."

The pink woman confused him but he certainly couldn't refuse any help in the middle of Menzoberranzan... no matter how pink and dissociative.

"We are aware, magician," Ælfric sighed, "but what'll we mere pawns do once we've gotten the book of power? Come back down here and signal you kings... or will you 'just know'?"

Ælfric realized how dangerous it was to push Drow but he also knew that they were used to a certain level of antagonism.

Amused at the banter Calidaer simply waits for blades to be drawn, or for it to be time for departure. A

Tch. Considering that Lyra's death could free me from this mirror, and that your soul would be the first I'd come for if that happened, you better pray for our safety, dark elf.

Aww Misha, you're so sweet! You can just say that you're worried for Lyra, you know: but it's ok, Lyra is strong and won't lose to some guards!

What followed was a solid minute of barely audible but EXTREMELY grumpy-sounding grumbling from the mysterious entity.

Teehee, Misha might sound bossy and scary, but she's a good person at heart. Anyway, can we set out already? Lyra can't wait to go beat up the bad guys!

"We get the book, we head for the tunnel and return to Vizeran," says Elayna. "Either that, or he's the one that will just know."

She checks inside her shirt and pats her side, confirming the presence of something within. "I'm ready to go," she says, then looks around to find a particular drow warrior. "Sarith? Are you with us? Maybe this is your chance to secure a better life for yourself. I'm sure the Council could use someone with your talents."

Calidaer nods to Elayna. Gripping his sword hilt tightly he says, W-... I, too, am ready.

Elayna nods to Sarith, and reaches out to squeeze his arm.

She turns to the drow wizard. "Lead the way."

Seftan takes a deep breath and let's it out slowly. With so much at stake and so much in flux the wizard's nerves were very much on edge. Though glad to have new team members to aid in the dangers ahead, Seftan wondered how much he could trust them. Soon enough he would know...

As long as the pink girl knew how to be stealthy, this just might work. And if it went south? More firepower was good, Ælfric knew, however unstable it appeared.

"Point us in, Spider Councillor. I'll take point after that."

"You think that's it?" Elayna asks, somewhat rhetorically, as she points at the ornate door.