The obsidian raven cawed only once as it appeared through the window, killing the conversation instantly. The animated stone bird landed heavily on the strong shoulder of an armored man standing by the hearth. Galarnok did not seemed surprised. He took a roll of parchment from the bird's grasp and unrolled it. The men around him waited while the Blood Raven.
A dwarf in a heavy spiked dwarven fullplate snorted and said aloud to no one in particular "Dark wings, dark words. Right?".
Galarnok was silent a moment longer then passed the parchment to an elf clad in leather standing next to him. Then he turned his eyes outside, at the gloom of the swordcoast. He gave Nouraha Hawkeye enough time to read, when understanding showed in the rogue's face, he turned and addressed his companions.
" What we have been waiting for as come at last, although the damages are far worse than I had thought. The whole of Baldur's Gate has been annihilated. It's population is now at the enemy's service. Only the inner city holds. "
He let the news sink in a second. These were men of steel, hardship and horror; no one seemed impressed. Planewalking will do that to a man. A huge hulking monstrosity with four arms and stinking of rotting flesh, Lukkieddi Vonritch spat a glob of flegm.
" So what? No Blood Raven I know is scared of zombies or banshees. "
" No doubt ", replied Galarnok, " And this changes nothing to the contract. Our quarry has manifested itself now and we will proceed as planned, even if its might is beyond what we were told. Now, I need to talk to her... "
To that, Nouraha seemed uncertain. " Are you sure? I do not think Stuh Ryback would appreciate... ". Galarnok hushed him with a cold stare.
" Stuh Ryback is no longer a Blood Raven. He has not been for a long time. His daughter on the other hand... ", he let his sentence unfinished as he searched in the folds of his magical haversack to produce a small bead of amber.
Galarnok brought it to his lips to whisper soft words onto the amber, which immediately started glowing softly. He then threw it in the middle of the room, where it exploded in a puff of red flames and smoke. When the smoke cleared, standing amongst them was a rare sight. Tall and slender, lightly armored and armed with an heavy wicked looking spear; before them stood a woman of supernatural beauty, long angelic hairs and white feathery wings, with satyr like legs, though hairless, ended with hooves. Half demon and half angel, with no normal human blood, she stood magnificient. Then she turned her gaze to Galarnok.
" You have called uncle? ", she asked, her voice sounding like a sweet melody, but leaving a feeling of dark promises.
" You have an assignment. I want some adventurers found. Fast. "