Drow

The attack happened fast. Too fast to really take in. In only a moment, Lauren realized that there was a hand crossbow digging into his back with a drow holding it ready to fire at any moment. He surveyed the battlefield, if it could be called that. Vorka and Temerity were **** from poison arrows. Ilya had a knife to her throat and was in the clear process of surrender. Jasper and Isabelle were each in Lauren's position with a hand crossbow at their backs. Lauren put his hands up. He wasn't too worried yet. He just needed to find a time to make a wish before they looted him. Though if they managed to get the stone, he was in real trouble. There were seven drow by his count. Three had hand crossbows in the backs of him and his companions. The two of those that he could see (since one was behind him) were a man and a woman. A woman had a knife to Ilya's throat. There were two others, both men, that were watching the **** forms of Vorka and Temerity. Finally, there was the leader. It was obvious she was the leader, she wore an intricate spider silk robe and had a brass tiara. She went up and spoke to Ilya in elvish. Luckily, Lauren knew elvish.

"Who are you and what are you doing in Teleron's lair? And be warned, any sign of casting and you die."

"We... are... here... for... treasure..." Ilya spat out the words slowly and deliberately, her eyes not leaving the drow.

"You expect me to believe that? Admit it! You are here to kill Teleron!"

"No... Just... Treasure..."

"Lies! We'll get the truth out of you." The leader reached into her pack and pulled out a small knife.

Lauren spoke, again in elvish, "Wait!"

Immediately the crossbow in his back pushed into him harder. He was entirely aware how much danger he was in that moment. "I'll tell you everything you want to know!"

The leader walked up to him, eyed him up and down, "Alright. Why are you here?"

"We are here for money. We're being paid to kill Teleron."

This was something that the leader could believe, even if that wasn't the reason they were in the dungeon. She smiled, "How much?"

"I wish you would listen." The leader put her small knife up to his throat for his insolence, but the wish was out. She was listening, just with a knife to his throat.

"2000 gold pieces." He blurted.

Her eyes widened, "Imperial pieces or Naval pieces." Naval was used more often but imperial weighed more.

"Imperial." Lauren was in deep with the lies now.

"If what you say is true, we can make a deal. We help you kill Teleron, and we get the money. You get to live. Sound fair?" She removed the knife from his throat and Lauren felt the crossbow ease off slightly.