Off the Sword Coast...

"Adventurers you say? Such things still exist in a world crawling with humans?", asked the eladrin of his soft nonchalent voice.

Puzzled, but too respectful to show it, the Shadar'Kai responded simply with "Yes, Lord".

"No matter. It was but one of the entrance. According to what you say, it was still too early to tell if the tunnels to the underworld still existed. Correct?"

"Much too early, Lord".

"Very well. We shall concentrate on the other one for now. Let these... adventurers meddle with the goblins. If really they can best my agents there, then they deserve to plunder the keep. They will be gone soon enough.".

Quel'Danas turned toward the sea of swords as the wind started blowing harder. A storm was approaching, a large one. But never as strong or dark as the one he was preparing.

"As for you, mercenary from the Shadowfell, as the only survivor of your group, you shall receive the whole payment, as promised.". The wizard opened a threw him a pouch. The Shadar'kai opened it, recognized the bag of holding for what it was, and accepted the content and the pouch as payment.

"But now, we have a problem. I see in your heart that you are preoccupied with one of the adventurers. Something about allies of your home land. Also, alone you are of little use to me. Your whole group could not best a band of adventuers, what good are you now?", Quel'Danas finished with a smile, turning to face the Shadar'Kai, who had frozen completely. Fear was not part of his life, as death is a glorious event in the eyes of the Raven Queen, but he knew the wizard would offer him much worse than death...

"Worry not, pawn. You played your part and your role is over, but not your existence. Go now, I care not for what happens of you.", then he turned back to the sea.

Adventurers? The idea amused him. Just like these Flaming Fist fools to the south near Baldur's Gate, or the guards of Waterdeep. They could play with his minions all they wanted, no one would connect the dots and understand what was to happen in time.

As lightning cut accross the horizon, so did his smile accross his face.