Seizing a set of keys from the robes of her obliterated master, Elzabeth dramatically flung open the only door Nykira and Galen had found locked, revealing seventeen centuries of plunder and, more importantly to her, the lich’s most prized treasure… his spell books. Opening the gate which separated her prize, a reinforced chest large enough to hold a full grown man, from the trove of gold and jewels A’mon Sol had amassed, she turned back to the companions with a sly, triumphant smile, announcing; “These are mine as we agreed. Take your pick of what else is here… but be quick about it… I’ve waited too long to be free of this dreadful place already.” With that she laid her hand upon the lid of the chest, recanting an invocation in Aragrakh, the dead language of old high wyrm used today only by wizards and sorcerers in the casting of spells, and it seemed to vanish until she turn to reveal a miniature version in the palm of her hand, which she stashed in her belt pouch. Then, almost as an afterthought, she snatched up a small bag of gems on her way back to the main chamber. Nykira froze in the doorway to the treasure room… dumbfounded. She’d never even imaged so much wealth existed in all the world. The daughter of an impoverished, but one noble, elven house, raised on the downtrodden backstreets of Silverymoon, she and her parents had known nothing but want, cherishing every copper, and here were chests literally overflowing with gold coins and precious gems cast about like so much rubbish. “Have you ever seen the like lass?” Tarl mused wistfully as he step past the stunned moon elven thief to kneel by one of the chests, scooping up fistfuls of gold coins and let them strain back through his fingers. His family had operated a successful forge for generations and lived fairly well, but such a fortune was nearly beyond his belief as well. “But how in the All-Father’s hammer do we get it all out of here?” “We don’t,” Aeron pronounced firmly having left his post at the main chamber’s door to move behind Nykira, laying a hand gently on her shoulder. “Take only what you can carry easily. It took us days to get here… so it’ll like take days to get out… and we can’t be burdened with the extra weight.” His touch shaking her out of her stupor, Nykira rushed forward, unslinging her enchanted rucksack and began filling it coins and gems, each handful worth more than she’d seen in her twelve decade life, while he grabbed a single large purse of gems and stowed it in his magical pouch before heading back to his post at the entry to the lich’s chambers. Meanwhile, Faeryl tried to put the startled young warrioress at easy with placating words of reassurance as she draped her cloak about the naked girl’s shoulders; “Yes… I’m drow, but I mean you no harm. My companions and I came to end the raids on the nearby settlements and roads. We’ve destroyed the lich and we’ll do our best to get you out of this horrid place safely. But you’ll need to trust us.” With little choice, Tana rose a bit unsteadily to her feet, having full control of her own body for the first time in nearly a week. Moving directly to a nearby chest with a shield and battle axe resting beside it, she opened it to reveal an armored breastplate and cloths cut for a woman of her proportions, obviously the garb she wore when captured. But just as she started to gather her things to dress, a low groaning rumble echoed through the chamber and dust rained down from the chamber ceiling. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Disclaimer: Some of the material presented here may be the property of Wizards of the Coast, LLC© taken from the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Setting authored by Ed Greenwood & Sean Renyolds, the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Accessory Silver Marches® authored by Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl and/or other sourcebooks registered to Wizards of the Coast, LLC©. This is unofficial “Fan Content” permitted under Wizards of the Coast, LLC© Fan Content Policy, it is not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, LLC©.