Worlds Within

Chapter 3

The warrior Valen looked her over carefully, sizing her up before answering her.  “The Seer believes you are our only hope of defeating the Valsharess.  I, however, do not believe in prophecies.  Still, you are obviously capable in your own right.  And we need all the help we can get if we are to win this war so I’m willing to take a chance.” 

Hypatia bore his scrutiny without flinching, though she was suddenly acutely aware of her own small stature and un-adventurer like figure.  With a mental shake she banished such unworthy thoughts.  “You said you could help me against the Valsharess.” 

As she listened to Valen speak of a mysterious town, one that had appeared out of nowhere on one of the islands, she looked at him.  To her utter astonishment she saw nothing save a reddish haze. 

“The sudden appearance of this town of surface elves is likely the work of a potent artifact.  One that might be quite useful against the Valsharess,” Valen postulated.   

Blinking rapidly Hypatia quickly considered if she had offended her goddess by her recent actions involving House Maeviir.  

If he was aware of her distraction, Valen gave no indication but continued on to speak of another island that harbored a wizard’s dungeon reputed to be full of golems. These golems would be powerful allies if they could convince them to join their cause. 

Hypatia was only half listening, though she had long ago learned to school her expression into one of undivided attention.  There was one of the other followers of the Seer just within her vision to the left and she looked at him.  He was surrounded by a mix of loyalty to the Seer and anxiety about the situation with the Valsharess.  

Puzzled, Hypatia again turned her vision to Valen.  Again she got nothing but a ghostly reddish haze.  She almost gave herself away as the impulse to frown in consternation overcame her.  She was able to control her expression though and turned her full attention back to Valen, who was just finishing up about someone named Cavallas, or the Boatman. 

Unaccustomed to her unique vision not working, Hypatia was forced to satisfy her curiosity in a more traditional manner.  “I want to know more about you.” 

Valen gave her a hard stare.  “I’m a warrior, a soldier.  You would be hard pressed to find one more skilled with the blade than I am.  And, like the Seer, I stand against the Valsharess.  I don’t think you’re entitled to much more than that, since I barely even know you.  The Seer may think you’re something special, but I’m reserving judgment until the Valsharess is defeated.” 

Hypatia gave him a surprised look.  I never claimed to be anything special, big guy.   “I get the feeling you don’t like me.” 

“Untrue,” he said softly.  “I do not even know you, so I can hardly dislike you.  But unlike the Seer, I’m not about to put all my faith in you until you’ve proved yourself against the Valsharess.” 

Fair enough.  Hypatia studied him for a moment longer.  “Will you join me?” 

He considered her request for a long time, long enough for even Hypatia to start to feel a bit uncomfortable, before making his reply.  “I don’t believe in the Seer’s dreams, Hypatia…Though I do believe you want to stop the Valsharess. 

With a decisive nod Valen answered, “Yes I think it would be to everyone’s advantage if we were to join forces.” 

Hypatia gave him a bright smile, which he did not return, before turning and leaving the temple again. 

Hypatia decided that checking out these strange and mysterious islands would be a good course of action.  It was Valen’s opinion that a powerful artifact must be at work to have suddenly relocated a city to the Underdark.  Such an artifact might prove useful against the Valsharess.  

Lith My’athar boasted at least two merchants.  One was Rizolar a blacksmith who could enchant weapons.  He carried armor and weapons from the mundane to the truly extraordinary.  She’d already spent almost all of her gold having her two katana’s enchantments enhanced by the blacksmith.  The other merchant was High Wizard Guthrys who specialized in all things magical.  Between them they carried most of the things an adventurer could want.  

She liked to stock up on potions and healing kits before heading out to face whatever might be out there so, Hypatia made her way over to the High Wizard.  Just before she reached his little shop a thought occurred to her.  “Valen, let me see your pack.” 

Without a word he handed his pack to her, though his expression was stern.  

Undoubtedly expects me to take his valuables.  Hypatia thought as she went quickly through the meager contents.  Two healing potions and precious little gold to buy any more, she catalogued what she considered to be the most important of Valen’s possessions. 

For his part, Valen was studiously not watching what she was doing, though by his scowl it seemed likely that he was assuming the worst. 

Without hesitation, Hypatia took off her own pack and transferred ten potions of critical healing, three potions of barkskin, three potions of endurance and one potion of something called ‘Death Armor’.  Sounds nasty.  I hope he knows how to use it.  She also added some food to the rations he carried and, after a quick glance to see if he was still not looking, about half of her remaining gold. Just in case there is some potion or something he needs that I don’t have to give him. 

Handing his pack back to him she looked him over with a critical eye.  My, my, my…he is… how would Cimmera say it?  Delicious.  With a slight shake of her head she schooled her roguish thoughts back to the task at hand.  Reaching into her pack again she pulled out a shimmering sash and handed it to him.  “Put this on.” 

“I don’t need your charity.”  He stated gruffly. 

“Oh, for pity’s sake.  It’s a special Sash of Shimmering, blessed by followers of Mystra.  It will give you some spell resistance.  Unless, of course, you like being on the receiving end of hostile magics.”  Hypatia gave him the sash and went rummaging back through her pack.  “Lets see here, I’ve got some Greater Gloves of Discipline, an Amulet of Health, though I don’t know if it’s better than the amulet you are already wearing.  You will have to make that decision.”  She looked up to see him just watching her, “Well, put the gloves on.  That will do for starters.” 

Hypatia pretended not to see the surprised expression on his face when he opened his pack to place the amulet she’d given him inside and noticed all the extra potions he had suddenly acquired.  He appeared to be about to make some kind of protest, but she raised one eyebrow and fixed him with a stern look and he wisely let it pass. 

“If you have anything you want to buy before we leave for the islands, now would be the time.”  Hypatia suggested as she closed her pack. 

Once done at the merchants, they made their way over to the docks where the eerie figure of Cavallas seemed to await them.  As they approached the heavily cloaked and hooded figure of the boatman, as some called him, Hypatia tried to get a look at his face.  It was hidden deep within the hood of his cloak, so Hypatia looked at him.  Sensations of depth, coldness and darkness washed over her and with a shudder she stopped looking at him. 

“Welcome, Hypatia who Looks, I have been waiting for you.”  Cavallas spoke in an eerie voice that sounded like the awful gurgling of a drowning man. 

Blushing deeply Hypatia couldn’t help but be startled and a bit embarrassed that he knew what she’d done.  She ignored Valen’s curious and suspicious stare. 

“Umm,” Hypatia was thrown a bit off balance.  Does everyone in the Underdark possess strange powers?  “You have been waiting for me?  How did you know I was coming?”  

“The river speaks to me alone and tells me its secrets.”  Came the answer from Cavallas. 

That’s just ducky, Hypatia could feel her temper getting the better of her.  She did not like being in such unfamiliar situations, she did not like feeling constantly off balance, and she did not like feeling like she was playing a giant game of catch up.  Ooooo that Halaster!  The first chance I get, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!  Or, maybe I’ll just take a nice long vacation and let him be.  Who knows what he might do if I were to really irritate him. 

With a resigned sigh, Hypatia requested that Cavallas take them to the island where the mysterious town had appeared overnight.  It seemed like as good a place as any to start. 

Hypatia was watching the poisonous waters of the dark river from her vantage point near the bow of Cavallas’ boat when Valen approached her. 

“May we speak?” 

Surprised she turned to him, “certainly, Valen, what would you like to discuss?” 

“What did Cavallas mean when he called you, Hypatia who Looks?” 

Hypatia blushed again and with a certain amount of trepidation answered as honestly as she knew how.  “Um, well, that’s a bit complicated.  You see, I have been blessed with the ability to look at people and see what strong emotions are affecting them at the moment.” 

Valen gave her a sharp look.  “I see.  And just what did your vision tell you of me?” 

This time Hypatia did frown.  “I was unable to see your emotions.” 

“I do not trust you.”  Valen minced no words.  “The Seer believes that you will defeat the Valsharess, but no mention is made of what that might cost us.  Some costs, I believe are too high.” 

Stung, Hypatia’s eyes glittered like emeralds as she snapped, “You think I would betray your Seer?  After I’ve stated that I would help her and you?” 

Valen’s icy blue eyes met her cold green ones in a test of wills.  “As I have said, I do not know you and I do not intend to follow you blindly.” 

Hypatia’s eyes narrowed in a glare, “Just how do you think I would manage to betray your Seer while I’m under this geas?” 

It was Valen’s turn to frown.  “Yes the geas.  It must be difficult for you to be so,” and here Valen grimaced, “bound.  Still I distrust magic.  I especially distrust magic’s ability to control the mind.” 

“That Halaster,” Hypatia growled, “I ought to…well perhaps I ought to just leave him alone.”  It was then that a thought occurred to her causing her eyes to widen in complete and utter surprise.  There was a geas, but what if it weren’t to kill the Valsharess.  After all how could even Halaster have known that he’d need such a spell.  What if, the geas were just to compel irate adventurers to leave him be.  It would be logical to keep such a spell memorized just in case. 

She managed to stifle the urge to laugh, since Valen was already giving her a stern look.  “I won’t betray your Seer, or you, Valen.”  

“I said I would help you and I intend to do so faithfully, but the fact remains that I don’t trust you.”  Valen stated, “I intend to watch you.” 

Thoroughly annoyed with him, Hypatia gave in to an impish impulse and gave him a wickedly suggestive look.  “As long as you like what you see.” 

She was rewarded by his brief expression of surprise before he glared fiercely at her and stalked off to find someplace else to wait out the rest of the voyage. 

They disembarked on a rocky outcrop on an island.  There was a path going up to a cave opening.  Since that seemed to be the only way to the interior of the island, that is the way they went. 

Hypatia followed the narrow cavern around a sharp corner, Valen right on her heels.  The cavern continued in an easterly direction for only a brief distance before turning north yet again.  

A Drow sentry spotted them and disappeared up the northern corridor shouting, “There’s nothing else for it now.  Attack!” 

Hypatia dashed after him, keeping close to the southern wall of the narrow cavern and thus missing the sonic trap that Valen tripped.  She offered a brief prayer for his safety as she rounded the corner and headed north.  All too soon she reached the end of the narrow corridor, a place where the cavern opened out into a huge vaulted room.  A room filled with several groups of hostile Drow. 

Hypatia dodged a few bolts and began casting her powerful Hammer of the Gods spell.  As she was casting Valen ran past her and into the thick of battle.  In moments a radiant column of light struck in the midst of a grouping of the Drow.  All in the group took damage from the divine spell, and more importantly, almost half of them were stunned. 

Valen was keeping the Drow from closing on her as she cast her spells.  They were falling before his flail like wheat before a scythe. 

Preparing to cast again, Hypatia was struck by several bolts.  Ignoring the pain, she began another Hammer of the Gods.  Her concentration held as even more of the Drow bolts found their mark.  Once again a radiant column of divine light fell, and another group of Drow were damaged.  This time over half were stunned.  Leaving them vulnerable to Valen as he worked his way through them with his flail. 

It was then that she noticed the woman in the far group starting to cast her own spell.  In a split second Hypatia drew her two enchanted katana, the crystalline metallic song of one filling the air around her.  She darted through the room to the spell casting Drow.  Before she had gotten very far a fall of fire descended upon her.  Hypatia screamed as the fire licked over her form, but would not be turned from her target.  She had to stop the spell caster. 

Reaching her intended target she began to swing her enchanted katana around in a deadly rhythm.  The Drow woman was casting again, but Hypatia’s blade struck hard and interrupted the spell.  Cursing in the Drow language the woman started another spell and this time she was not interrupted, though Hypatia’s blades found purchase twice more during the casting of the spell. 

Suddenly Hypatia was frozen.  She could not move, she couldn’t even breathe.  All around her were still also, save the Drow woman who had cast this unknown spell.  She was busy casting again. 

Just when Hypatia thought she could bear no more of this enforced and absolute stillness she found that she could breathe again.  Things began to move again as the spell casting Drow vanished in oscillating rings of light. 

The Drow behind Hypatia was quick to recover and attacked her before she could gather her wits.  With a growl, Valen was suddenly at her side, striking down the Drow who threatened her. 

Quickly Hypatia cast yet another spell Flame Strike, and as her own fall of fire descended many of the remaining Drow were vanquished.  The few that remained fell quickly to Valen’s flail. 

After they had searched the large cavern for any remaining Drow and deeming it safe enough, they found an out of the way spot, as far from the reminders of the battle as they could and decided to rest.  Hypatia was exhausted and wounded, as was Valen. 

“Here,” Hypatia said softly as Valen lowered himself carefully to the floor, mindful of the wounds he’d received in the battle.  “Let me help you.”  She began casting her most powerful healing spell, within moments Valen was surrounded by a bright healing light.  By the time the glow faded his wounds were gone. 

Hypatia then cast a lesser healing spell upon herself.  Once done she smiled and said, “Well, that wasn’t so bad, now was it?” 

Valen gave her a hard stare before saying, “Your fighting skills leave something to be desired?” 

Shooting him a look, one eyebrow raised, Hypatia retorted, “I held my own, for the most part.” 

Holding her gaze Valen corrected her.  “You rely on the enchantments of your weapons to make up for your lack of skill with the blades.” 

Hypatia glared at him for a long moment before standing and drawing her weapons.  Two blades, each perfectly balanced and finely crafted.  Each bore it’s own enchantments.  One sang in a mournful crystalline metallic voice.  The other, a precious gift from her Aunt Yzma and pausing she read once again the inscription carved on the length of the blade: “Tell me how you fight and I’ll tell you what you are.”  With a new determination filling her, she looked back at the blue-eyed warrior.  “Teach me.” 

An expression of surprise flitted across his features before he could dampen it.  “We haven’t any practice blades to work with.” 

With a scowl Hypatia demanded, “as soon as I can remedy that, you will teach me.  I will make time before my prayers each night to practice.” 

Taken aback by her determination Valen asked, “You would cut short your prayers?” 

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