Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: aaron@space.ualberta.ca (Aaron Humphrey)
Subject: [MI] Alfvaen[Shrine To Lolth]: Spiderweb
Message-ID: <1992Oct20.040949.21911@kakwa.ucs.ualberta.ca>
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1992 04:09:49 GMT


Alfvaen opened the door with the spiderweb pattern and stopped, stunned by the
sight before him.

The room was circular and laced with spiderwebs, attached by myriad cables to
the wall.  In the center of the room was a large altar, shaped like a spider
with greedy mandibles facing upwards.

Above the altar, hanging in the spiderweb, was Elstree.

He had no doubt it was her.  He didn't even need Delmara's shocked intake of
breath to confirm it.  She looked the same as she had on Roth.  The same as
when he had first seen her in Delta City, and when he had seen her again on
his return years later.  Somehow he had known that she woudn't look different,
despite being reborn on a different world.

"A pretty sight, isn't it?" a soft voice chuckled.  Alfvaen's eyes were drawn
to a dark figure he had previously failed to register, which was now moving
slowly towards them.  He surveyed the room more carefully.  No other shadowy
forms lurking about.  So this must be Noctu--was he alone?  Were the two
incompetent guards outside his only companions?

No.  What was that up there on the web?  Of course--spiders.  Dozens of
spiders.  Some a foot across.  And now he saw that they were swarming all over
Elstree.  And there was a slow drip of blood from her body into the altar.  A
feeling of rage filled him, and he raised a dagger to throw.

"That wouldn't be wise," Noctu began, but Alfvaen had already loosed his
dagger.  It flew straight for Noctu's head, only to slide off to one side a
few feet from the drow.  A magical shield.

"As I was saying, it wouldn't be wise to kill me.  You see, I'm the only one
who can get your dear beloved Elstree out of that web without her being
injected with enough poison to kill her instantly."  He smiled.  "So it
appears we are at a standoff."

"What do you want?" Alfvaen said.

"Ah, right down to business.  You see, the Demon Queen really would like the
soul of Elstree.  It belongs to an enemy of hers, and the revenge would be
sweet.  But she would accept another prize.  That amulet you wear."

Alfvaen feigned surprise.  "This?  What good would it do her?  Oh--I see.  It's
property of another rival of hers, eh?"

"More than that--it holds a soul that should be hers.  So--just give over the
amulet, and I will free her."

Alfvaen considered for a moment.  "Let my friends go."

Noctu didn't hesitate.  "Agreed."

"Alright, you--go.  Queriche, take Delmara and Batobo back to the office.  I'll
be there shortly."  He saw Queriche about to argue, and said.  "Just go.  I'll
be fine.  You too, Rat," he said, bending down to Little Rat.  He swiftly
whispered in her ear, "Sneak back in.  When I give you the amulet, you put it
around Elstree's neck, and then get out of here.  Okay?"  He stood back up,
patted her on the head.  "All right.  Let's get this over with."  He started
to take the amulet off, then stopped.  "Wait a minute."

Noctu looked impatient.  "What?"

"I heard some kind of a voice in my head.  Pleading with me, not to do this.
Is it from the amulet?"

"Yes.  The soul imprisoned there is clever and deceitful.  If he escaped, he'd
think nothing of slaughtering us both.  He's safer in the Abyss, believe me."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shape flit into the shadows.  Right.
Time to move.  Who knows how much longer Elstree will last.  "Okay."  He took
off the amulet, and held it out.  Noctu approached eagerly to take it.  When
he was close enough, Alfvaen tossed it to Little Rat in the shadows.  "Oops,
how clumsy of me," he said.

What was it Urcohea had said?  He had two minutes before his body disappeared
back into the amulet?

--
---Alfvaen(Canadian SF Quasi-Activist)
"Does it ever seem like the brain disorders you have just aren't enough to keep
 you amused anymore?"  --Dr. Strychnine
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