She nodded and turned towards the drow paladin, "Isn't it uncommon for drow to become paladins, I was under the impression that most are fighters, rogues, or spellcasters of sorts."

"Most are fighters, rogues, assassins or spellcasters," Zesstra replied to the Elementalist, "We even have Eldritch Knights. But we do have our fair share of paladins."

"But most of those paladins are either Oath of Vengeance or Oath of Conquest," Irzen interjected, "The paladin you see before you, Alyson, is the rarest of the rare in the Underdark--an Oath of Devotion paladin. Even the Servitors of Lolth--"

Madeous took a drink from his cup, "Servitors of Lolth you may find down in the Underdark but the spider queen actually exists on the other side of the Realm in the heart of Venger's territory. She does not take on the form an elf per say but rather a beautiful woman with malicious intent of anyone becoming her next victim. Ran into her a few times before I met Lazheros. Nasty piece of work. The only thing the party did was make sure we gave her hell on our way out."

"May they burn in The Nine Hells forever!" Both Irzen and Zesstra intoned simultaneously in pure disgust.

"--do not boast of having an Oath of Devotion paladin." The Swordsman concluded, "Our new friend here is a rare gem indeed!"

"Apparently." Alyson and Lazheros replied in unison.

"It appears that hell-spawn Lolth gets around quite a bit then," Irzen commented on Madeous' remark, "I find it hard to believe that she would be residing anywhere near the territory of one so powerful as Venger."

"I agree," Zesstra added, "The Spider Queen suffers no rivals and makes no alliances. Simply put, Lolth is so vain that she believes everything is all about her."

"That is because the Spider queen you know of exists elsewhere. This world is where she came into existence. The stories and legends that followed came from those who left this world and went to another." Madeous told Zesstra and Irzen. "Lolth is a true demon queen. Something Venger is used to dealing with. Favors to rid him of problem adventurers in exchange for the magic items he acquires to increase his own power."

"I find that hard to believe," Zesstra intoned, "But I will take you at your word, Platinum Knight. To see Lolth doing favors for anyone that would not directly benefit her is odd to say the least."

"Odd, but not impossible." Irzen added.

"Let's be honest here, uncle, Venger has a god complex. He wants to be the master of the Realm entire." Alyson added.

"True but not all of the Realm is within his reach and control especially when he has to avoid a certain dragon queen to keep him in check." The platinum knight replied.

"I doubt he would gain any ground here in the Fire Sea region. There is enough opposition and the old alliances are still very, very strong. The Council of Wyrms would see to it that he stays on his side of the Realm." The bronze man rubbed his chin.

"And I have no doubt that The Thing in the Pit would be the strongest to object to his presence as well." Zesstra added with a shudder.

Irzen silently nodded in agreement before he took another swig of Cannard.

Alyson glanced around the dining chamber and a cryptic thought entered her mind, "Do you suppose that Venger has changed his tactics? I mean, besides War Scribe being sucked into the gravity well that collapsed the Black City, do you think the Force of Evil has up-ed his game? Thoughts?"

Tarendil nodded, "It's quite possible but not here. This place like Asylum can only be found by those who know the way or are given a special invitation."

Arathorn snapped his fingers and sent the guards out to patrol and to look for anything odd. He also gave unique medallions to scan for anything strange. "Just taking precautions in case our home is discovered."

"This is Venger." Irzen replied flatly, "He always ups his game. Whether he uses intermediaries like Shadow Demon to get things done or takes direct action himself. The Dark Lord is always trying to find a darker and more powerful path to achieve his ultimate goal."

"Which is?" Zesstra asked innocently.

"Absolute dominion over the Realm!" The Swordsman concluded before he took another sip of Cannard.

Suddenly the sound of clapping echoed from the balcony where Tarendil's estranged brother stood there. "The gall of drow making their presence here, even moreso with the platinum knight who ruined my plans many years ago. Did anyone tell you, human, that you're a royal pain?!"

"Zarathan!" Tarendil rose up from her chain, hands on daggers.

"You never learn do you!" Zesstra drew her sword and took up a defensive position between Tarendil and her psycho brother.

"The throne was always mine! I was first born and you dear sister, are left overs." The prince sneered bringing up both hands, "Time for all of you to depart! GOOD BYE!"

Alyson went to counterspell and was countered herself before vanishing with Lazheros.

**BLINK!**

Madeous stood up reaching back for his weapon only to have the floor disappear beneath him to the open sky below.

**SHHOOOSHH!!***

Tarendil and Zesstra were blocked by a wall of force, while the swordsman also vanished.

"A wall of force, huh?" Zesstra studied it before she turned to her mate, "Be careful, Tarendil, I sense your brother is near."

"Mother puss bucket!" Were the only words Irzen got out before he disappeared!

******

The platinum knight's free fall was accelerating very quickly until the claws of a immortal oriental dragon caught him. Master Shinrin opened a portal, "Go to your kin, dragon warrior and face your greatest enemy once again. The swordsman and the others await you."

As the four of them including the swordsman reappeared at the top of plateau over looking a massive stone fortress, they could see a vast legion of orcs and lizardmen at its base. Adjacent to the massive fortress was a tower held aloft by raw primordial magic as it hovered over a pit that seemed endless. The winds around it kept the legions of the Force of Evil on the ground.

Madeous staggered a bit to get his bearing's just before he landed not far from the elementalist and company.

Lazheros turned to see him, "This was unexpected."

"Ya, think." Alyson quipped non-chalantly and spied the strange floating tower, "I feel drawn there."

"Welcome to the party, Madeous!" Irzen quipped, "I see you got your invitation and I hoped you enjoyed the ride. Now, let's see if we can raise a little hell while we are here."

The Swordsman grinned viciously as he drew his sword and turned his attention to the Dark Lord's army, "Master Card, I'm bored. The friendly natives will entertain me!"

The elementalist seemed to be focused on the floating tower and it did a good job of keeping her attention. The Platinum Knight and The Bronze Man took notice not of the tower but what was flying out of the massive fortress. A swarm of flyers most likely on patrol. Hooded figures with staves riding naked bird like creatures.

"We're not alone. Ready yourselves for unwanted attention." Lazheros pulled out his mace and shield.

Madeous grumbled as his attire shimmered to reveal his full plate radiant armor for the swordsman. Wielding his great vorporal sword again, "We are in the heart of Venger's territory and I haven't forgotten this place. After you, Irzen."

"Not bad, Madeous, not bad!" Irzen made note of the Platinum Knight's armor before he turned his attention to their would-be attackers, "Only a dozen of them? I'm insulted! The Dark Lord must be hard up for help these days."