The City of Splendors

A tiny cloud drifted over Waterdeep, scudding resolutely northward, small enough that it escaped the notice of the griffon cavalry and was able to pass close by several oversized, menacing-looking stone statues without drawing interest. The urban maze below the cloud gave way to a large, lush area of grass, trees, and ponds, and a passing pigeon was the only one to hear a contented sigh from the gaseous form that slowly descended towards the pocket of greenery. The cloud settled into a tree in a well-manicured parkland in the city’s Sea Ward and slowly took on the form of a Halfling druid with a wide grin on his face and a pipe in his mouth. Quickly, the druid cast alter self and took on the form of a small child, and changed into a set of children’s clothing that he had kept in his pouch since his first visit to Phandalin. His pipe morphed into a comically oversized lollipop, and every time he took a lick, he exhaled a cloud of sweet-tasting vapour. He watched the march of the ants up the tree trunk and enjoyed the fresh air. Erwen settled into the crook of the tree and fell asleep.   As soon as the party passed through the southern gate of Waterdeep, Bob began to feel unwell with a serious headache.   The hire-coach soon veered off the High Road onto a side street that was lined with fashionable townhouses, some of them three or four storeys tall, each one featuring a small courtyard that served as a carriage turnaround affording a respite from the chaos of the busy streets. “Suldown Street, as ordered sir!” the hackney driver called out through the courtesy window behind his open seat. “You’ll know our destination as Sweetsong House,” Siegfried said quietly back to the driver. “Right, Ol’ Danilo Thann’s house, it was,” the driver said, tugging on the bill of his cap. “His is a name worth remembering in this city. Nice to see it’s been kept in good repair!” “It’s stayed in the family,” Siegfried replied. “Who best to guard the Thann legacy than the Thanns themselves?” “Naturally, sir!” the driver said as he pulled the hire-coach into the courtyard of a well-appointed three-storey town house, coming to a halt beneath a flag bearing the Thann family standard, a white horse and a black bird on a field of blue. “And here we are!” Siegfried couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice as he and his companions debarked the coach. Siegfried took the front steps two at a time, and just as he was about to ring the doorbell, the double doors before him swung open to reveal a thin, stooped human man of advanced age wearing a butler’s uniform. The man’s lined face cracked into a welcoming smile. “Why, young Master Thann!” he said. “What an unexpected and yet somehow unsurprising surprise. Welcome home!” Siegfried cast detect magic to ensure that he was not walking into a trap, and then caught the doddering old man up in a bearhug. “Cauldar!” he cried as he embraced the family’s major domo. “So good to see you!” Cauldar returned Siegfried’s embrace for a second or two, and then gently but firmly pushed the half-orc back. “Now then, Master Siegfried, there is still such a thing as propriety here at Sweetsong House.” His rheumy eyes played over the rest of the party. “And who have you brought to our doorstep this day?” “Ah, Cauldar, please meet my, uh, traveling companions, wards, allies, and friends!” Siegfried said. Cauldar’s eyes betrayed a keen judgement and appraisal as he looked the party members over. He bowed curtly, then took half a step back and swung his arm out in an inviting manner in the foyer. “Welcome to Sweetsong House, guests of the young master. We are of course at your service.” “Friends, this is Cauldar Marskyl, the Thann Family’s major-domo, head butler, and all-around - “Come in, come in,” Cauldar said. As the party filed into the foyer, Siegfried asked “Who’s home? Did you get the paper bird I sent?” “Oh, yes, yes,” Cauldar presented the paper crane. “You did say you’d be here with some friends, and thank you for the warning. We certainly do adapt to the circumstances, young master, and we are of course prepared to welcome you and your friends. And yes, well, your mama and papa are together in the drawing room, and you know how it is with your siblings Siegfried, always coming and going, especially with Sariel and Willow studying at the bardic college. I do believe that Master Felix is up at Maresgate working on his magical and physical exercises – Raven’s Roost is the only place with spellcasting chambers built strongly enough to withstand either of his pursuits. No doubt he will appear at his pleasure and I will no doubt have to repair a wall or two. Kowalski is of course locked up in his room doing what he normally does, and enough said about that” at this Cauldar winked, “just be sure to knock before entering, as we’ve had some episodes.” “Do we still have protective aprons hanging outside his door?” “Yes,” Cauldar chuckled. “We just received a delivery from the launderer’s guild and they had to charge us extra this time.” “He’s getting smarter,” Siegfried said. “And your youngest siblings are of course underfoot at all times. We’ve kept them out of your room and left it just as you left it.” “Can’t thank you enough, naturally,” Siegfried said. “Well, I need to pay a call to dear mama and papa , of course, and I shall need to see Kowalski after a time. But first,” he fished out a pair of small glass bottles that were filled with what looked like undulating ribbons of pure thought, and handed them to Cauldar. The major-domo conjured a silver platter just in time for Siegfried to set the bottles atop it. “Please send these along with a bottle of our finest vintage to Open Lord Laeral Silverhand and our dear friend Remy Haventree posthaste with my goodwill,” Siegfried ordered the major-domo. “I have gathered some intelligence that they both might find interesting after their own fashion.” “You certainly don’t waste time, young master,” Cauldar said, an eyebrow edging up towards his hairline. “A bottle of the best, you say?” “Well, it’s been a bloody tale of heroism, plot thickenings, deceit, and backstabbings afoot in the Sword Mountains to the north, and Waterdeep must be made aware,” Siegfried said. “I wouldn’t be doing my duty as a member in good standing with the Lord’s Alliance and the Harpers if I didn’t-” “Loose lips, young master!” Cauldar chided Siegfried, casting a warning glance over the rest of the party. “It’s okay, Cauldar, my friends are well aware of my associations,” Siegfried said. “Besides, sooner or later they would notice the harp motifs carved into the wainscoting and crown moulding here at the House.” “Danilo always loved to court controversy,” Cauldar said with a wistful sigh. “But look at you! You and your friends are covered in grave dust, and it just won’t do!” “Yes, yes,” Siegfried said soothingly. “But what kind of son would I be if I didn’t tramp dirt all through the house and loudly introduce my friends to my parents, because that’s exactly what I’m about to do!” “Fair enough, young master,” Cauldar said with an affected shrug. “I’m sure you remember the way to the drawing room.” Siegfried was already on his way, practically skipping down the hallway. “This way, chaps.” The party made their way through the well-decorated town house towards the sound of a harpsichord being played, albeit poorly. Someone was singing along, just far enough out of tune that it grated on the nerves of all within earshot. Build a fire to harp at twilight In a circle of old standing stones Dance by the fire under watching moon Call up the old and waiting bones “Call up the old and waiting bones?” Varien muttered. “Well, I never…” Siegfried pushed the doors open as the voices sang a second verse. Draw a circle in a dusty old tomb A circle of flame on cold grey stone Talk to wizards dead and kings long gone Lore to learn and spells to hone In the drawing room, which was dominated by an overlarge fireplace at the eastern end, sat a beautiful elven woman at a harpsichord, her nimble fingers playing across the keybed, though her technique left much to be desired. The woman’s hair was like burnished platinum and her eyes a deep aquamarine. Lounging atop the instrument’s soundboard lid was a man with a halo of curly hair framing a red-cheeked face. The man was either tall for a halfling or short for a human, and bore a resemblance to both races while not easily fitting into either one’s common description. Both man and woman were singing, and the man was clearly able to carry a tune better than his companion. A mage hand was dropping rose petals overhead. Siegfried began to join in the song, improving the overall sound immediately and covering for any sonic deficiencies. Walk in shadows, in worlds so strange The senses reel, the blood crawls Hurl spells at twisted things of claws Until the last one flees or falls Abruptly the woman stopped playing and spun about on the piano stool, her expression one of delighted surprised. “Siegfried!” she called out in joy as she rushed towards him, arms outstretched. “So nice to see you!” She brushed at his clothing. “You’re not dressed for the occasion, but I’m so happy to see you.” “Hello, mother,” Siegfried said as she embraced him. The Quarterling slithered off the lid of the harpsichord and buttoned the top two buttons of his rather loud printed dress shirt, which he wore untucked over fine breeches. A virtual thicket of chest hair tufted up between the gapping buttons. “Hello, Siegfried,” he said in a gravelly voice utterly different than his singing voice. “You interrupted our song, sonny boy.” He stretched out a hand and a servant darted out from the shadows to place a filled goblet in it. “Hello father,” Siegfried replied. “Nothing much worth interrupting, pops.” As the half-orc entered the drawing room, more servants appeared to ensure his needs were taken care of. Siegfried greeted each with a warm hello as he received a fluted wineglass of his own and condescended to have his scarf straightened. The servants blushed and bowed and retreated to the periphery of the drawing room. Millio chuckled. “That’s my boy, always looking out for the little people.” “Speaking of which, I have friends who will be needing a place to stay. My friends, please allow me to introduce you to my father, Millio Thann, and my mother Katerina Anakir,” Siegfried said. “Mother, father, my friends and traveling companions, the Champions of Phandalin.” Siegfried’s face brightened suddenly. “Oh! Mother! This gentleman here is Mialee Moonflower’s stepson, if you can credit it.” “Really!” Katerina fixed Varien with an appraising look. “Charmed to meet you,” Varien murmured. Katerina’s eyes glittered. “How delightful! Have you spoken to Mialee lately?” “Stepson isn’t exactly accurate,” Varien said. “I have no familial relation to Mialee Moonflower at all. She was involved with my father years before I was born.” “Oh, how mysterious!” Katerina said. “However, I did meet her in Neverwinter not long ago.” “Yes, it seemed that Mialee’s daughter, Varien’s stepsister, was in a spot of bother in Neverwinter,” Siegfried said. “Neverwinter?” Katerina said, and sniffed. “We saved her from a deadly encounter in Helm’s Hold,” Siegfried said. “Helm’s Hold! Can’t say I remember it.” Katerina said. “Well, you should know that Mialee Moonflower and I go way back, as they say. She trained me up as a Bladesinger in Silverymoon. She became a superior commanding officer and a very good friend.” Varien nodded. “She did seem very nice when I spoke with her.” “And so, allow me to introduce Bob, whose grandfather is a dragon or something,” Siegfried continued. “We got to meet him as we saved some gnomes in the mountains.” “And Alec, who is going to be Felix’s new best friends, I just know it,” Siegfried continued. “And Theryn Hellvalour, who walks the earth, and Jim Icke,” he said, indicating Yeemik who was busy lurking near the sideboard accepting drink after drink from a servant. “Last week he was a goblin, now he’s Tiefling. Isn’t that crazy?” Katerina blinked. “Not present is my friend Erwen, the Druid, who is a bit of a troublemaker. He wanted to check out the Heroes’ Garden. We will find him if there’s a fire when he gets bored.” “Oh dear,” Katerina said. “I do hope you gave him a copy of the Code Legal?” “Yes, I made sure he read it, after checking that he can read.” Siegfried said. “He has a copy. But he’s a wily one. He’ll be fine.” “Well, it’s so nice to meet you all,” Katerina said to the group. “As I’m sure Cauldar explained our home is open and welcome to you, and it is so nice to see Siegfried making new acquaintances.” “Yes,” Millio added with a braying chuckle, “friends that we didn’t have to bribe to associate with him.” “You cut me to the quick,” Siegfried said. “It’s for your own good darling, it builds character.” “Someone has to,” Siegfried replied. “Speaking of which, I could spend quite a large amount of time telling you what your siblings have been up to but you don’t necessarily want to hear it,” Katerina said. “Speaking of siblings, do you want to hear the craziest story?” Siegfried said. “Ugh, I’m going to need another drink,” Millio said. “And before you get started, you and me have to have a chat later, so drop by my study later.” “Of course, father,” Siegfried said. “And I’m going to sit over here,” Millio said, moving to a large settee near the fireplace. “and get another glass of wine, Cauldar , and your mother is going to get on her fainting couch.” “She’ll need it,” Siegfried said, as Katerina glided across the polished floor to prostrate herself on said couch. “Are you ready, father?” Siegfried asked. “Not yet,” Millio snapped, and drained his wineglass. Cauldar immediately refilled it. “Okay, let’s have it.” Varien took a long drink from his goblet, as this situation was incredibly awkward. Bob was sweating. His headache had not yet subsided. A servant got him a drink of water. “So, as I was saying,” Siegfried said. “Turn out, Felix is not my only older brother. Who knew?” “Uh, what?” Millio said. “Yeah,” Siegfried said. “His name is Rulgar and he is the worst.” “Katerina,” Millio said, “You’re telling me there’s two of them?” “At minimum,” Siegfried said. “Wait, what do you mean two of them?” “Oh, uh, no, I don’t mean it like that,” Millio said. “Maybe I do. Well, no, uh, but how do you fell about this revelation?” “I don’t know,” Siegfried admitted. “I ruined his crowning, which is good.” “Wouldn’t be the first time you ruined a ceremony Siegfried, but you say it’s a good thing, I don’t get it.” “It’s another half-orc adopted into another family, and he speaks with Mother.” At this point Katerina fainted. “So glad we bought that couch,” Millio. Cauldar fanned the lady. “You’re strong, you’re a bladesinger, you served in an army. Fetch the smelling salts.” “Son, you know that your birth was a bit of a touchy subject for your mother and me, right?” “Understandably!” said Siegfried. “It was horrible for everyone involved. “So, this is a little, uh, you’re saying your real mother,” “You’re my real family,” Siegfried said quickly. “I shouldn’t have said real,” Millio admitted. “So, your birth mother, is that better?” “It’s accurate, unfortunately.” ‘You’re saying your birth mother had at least one other son before showing up on our doorstep?” “At least one.” “Ugh,” Millio said. “And what do you want us to do about it? Or is this just an informational exchange?” “I mean I don’t have to come home to get my parents to solve my problems.” Millio laughed too loudly. “I can just want to see you.” “You hear that Katerina? He just wants to see us! Ah, you’re one of the good ones.” “Might be the only good one,” “Siegfried.” “From my mother’s side of the family, I mean,” Siegfried said, pointing to the ashes int eh fireplace. “I guess that’s a relief, thank you for letting me know.” “There’s work to be done,” said Siegfried. “Luckily, I’ve put delays on the orc invasion of Waterdeep so that’s nice.” “What?” Million snapped. “Orc invasion?” “Yes, Rulgar was being crowned of all the clans, and luckily I kicked all that over,” Siegfried said. So good job Varien, good job Theryn, good job Bob, good job Alec.” “Good job James!” Yeemik crowed drunkenly. “Oh yeah, I did a good job!” “He got vengeance on an actual necromancer, it’s great,” Siegfried said. “Varien killed another necromancer, it wasn’t even vengeance, he just didn’t like the guy!” “Let’s keep all the talk of killing in this room. You know how your siblings get when you make the slopes of the mountainside run with blood.” “Yes, of course.” Siegfried said. “So here we were. We had all these orc clans. Dwarf clans. Drow clans. Red Wizards of Thay. We had some flippin’ Eldreth Veluuthra, they’re involved in this as well.” Katerina fainted again. “And they were all in this orc tomb,” Siegfried said. “Why on earth were the Eldreth Veluuthra, the drow, the Forgebar Dwarves, all together?” Theryn noted that Siegfried was being uncharacteristically forthright. “What on earth are they, and the Red Wizards of Thay, and the clan kingdoms of Many-Arrows willing to get together and sacrifice some gnome children?” “Slow down, sonny boy.” “They were going to Waterdeep to invade the place. You know what they do when they get all together and get drunk and crown a warlord king, it’s what they do. They’re going to come for the Ettin Axe.” “We kicked over things so there won’t be a massive orc army, but what it won’t stop is Mother Dearest from telling Rulgar where you guys live. So yes, that scares me. Because he can do this too.” “At least you’re better looking than he is!” “I don’t know that because he was doing this to make himself look more orcish.” “Oh Siegfried, nobody’s better looking than you,” Katerina said. “I know, but he might be.” Katerina’s eyelids fluttered. “I haven’t heard anything from Many-Arrows about them causing a ruckus, they’re still consolidating after the War of the Silver Marches!” “Hopefully they will be consolidating for a few more years because I just uncrowned their king!” Siegfried said. “But Siegfried, are you certain that this warlord was acting on behalf of Many-Arrows?” his mother asked. “He might not be, he’s probably just as shady a bastard as I am, probably doing something sneaky too,” Siegfried mused. His eyes twinkled. “Oh, I could go to the main Many-Arrows camp and try to sell him down the river! That would be fun!” “You might need a few more friends if you’re going to venture into Many-Arrows, son,” Katerina said. “Tis a dangerous place.” Suddenly the door behind them blew open. “Oh no,” Varien said. “Oh yeah!” someone shouted. Cauldar winced as the door flew off its hinges. “Brothers don’t shake hands, brothers gotta hug!” shouted a bare-chested, overmuscled bald man with a handlebar moustache lunged at Siegfried, grappling with him as he laughed uproariously. Siegfried managed to reverse the oaf’s hold and piledrive him into the harpsichord, which disintegrated loudly. “Where have you been, you little rascal? You see these sick gains?” the man said as he gave Siegfried a noogie. “Felix, that harpsichord is coming out of your allowance,” Millio roared as Katerina sighed. Siegfried pulled on his brother Felix’s moustache. “Felix, these are the dumb bastards that I’ve been adventuring with, and they are amazing.” “Adventurers? I love those guys!” Felix jumped to his feet and put his hands on his hips, surveying the party. “This is Alec, he’s a wizard with a greatsword as tall as he is,” Siegfried said. “This is Bob, he’s part dragon, another wizard, this is Varien, could also be a wizard though I’m not certain, this is Theryn, he’s not a wizard but he punches, and this is James, and he’s drunk!” “Yes, he is!” Yeemik wobbled from the corner. A servant gave Bob a cold compress for his forehead, which did little to cut the pain. Bob’s scales had begun to itch. “Pleased to meet you,” Felix said. “You,” he said, pointing at Alec. “we’re going to wrestle later. Oil up.” Alec blinked. “Ah, it appears that I’ve interrupted something,” Felix said. “I’m going to go somewhere and do several sets of reps apiece.” He bench-pressed Siegfried good-naturedly and set him down, and then promptly bashed his way through the nearest wall, flexing his muscles and shouting “Oh yeah!” Cauldar winced again.

Siegfried looked about for his youngest sister Sofia. The fact that she hadn’t shown her face worried him. “Cauldar, please show our guests to their quarters,” Katerina said. “And clean up Felix’s mess, please.” “This way, please,” Cauldar said to the adventurers. “We will draw you a bath as needed.” “Thank you,” Theryn said. “I will stay in the drawing room,” Varien said. “Bob and I do have to get the Temple of Beauty.” Siegfried mounted the stairs and found his brother Kowalski’s room. He heard ungodly mechanical sounds emanating from behind the locked door. He gingerly tied on an apron and put on a pair of goggles, and then knocked on the door. Instead of the door opening, a slot at eye-level opened and a pair of spectacled eyes peered out. “Mom! I told you not to bother me! I’m right in the middle of something! Gosh!” “Kowalski, you dumbass, it’s me!” Siegfried said. “Let me in.” “Siegfried? Just wait a sec, I have to dispel a bunch of illusions. Hang on.” “Yeah, get on that,” Siegfried hissed, knowing what kind of illusions his brother favoured. There was a pause. “Okay, you can come in.” Siegfried gingerly opened the door. Kowalski refused to make eye contact. “I didn’t know you were back. What do you want?” “I’m trying to be a not-dickhead brother for once,” Siegfried said. “Want to try and meet me halfway?” “As if,” Kowalski said, kicking the floor. Siegfried produced the gnomish tool box and set it on the floor, not releasing his grip on it. Kowalski’s bespectacled eyes widened comically. “Whoa, is that a Tinker-Toy 2000?” “No,” Siegfried said. “This is what the people who make the Tinker-Toy 2000 use in their workshops.” “Lucky,” Kowalski breathed. “This I got from Ieirithymbul for saving the city,” Siegfried said. “Since when do you have all the sweet hookups?” Kowalski said. “Since I get out of the house and put some work into it,” Siegfried said. “And was nice to people.” “‘Kay,” Kowalski said, shrugging. Siegfried made as if to leave with the toolbox. “Wait, no, okay, wait!” Kowalski said with some urgency. “I can be not a dickhead. Uh, it’s…good…to…see…you…Siegfried,” Kowalski said robotically, having difficulty stringing the words together. “That’s better,” Siegfried said. “What was that you were saying about Mom?” “That, uh, she is a nice lady, and I should not be snippy when she calls,” Kowalski said. His face screwed up into a pout. “But she has to respect my privacy Siegfried!” “Okay, but I don’t have to give you this toolbox, if you’re going to be a dick to Mom,” Siegfried replied sternly. “I will not be a dick to Mom,” Kowalski sighed. “You’re going to get her some flowers.” “That means I’m going to have to go outside Siegfried, but I’ll do it.” “I’d better hear that you were nice to Mom.” “Oh, you’ll hear it.” “Good, because I might go back there.” “Go back where?” “To Ieirithymbul,” Siegfried said, showing Kowalski his venomizer nozzle. “What is that?” “That is Master Milltall’s Ethereal Venomizer!” Siegfried said. “It sprays poison gas.” “Poison gas? That’s awesome!” Kowalski stuttered. “Do you want one for the next holiday?” Siegfried asked a leading question. “Yes,” Kowalski said sullenly. “Well, depends on if your attitude towards Mom changes between now and then,” Siegfried called over his shoulder as he left his brother’s workshop. “I’ll be good, Siegfried!” Kowalski said before the door slammed shut.   Bob opened himself up to the magic that flowed within his veins and felt as though there was a ward protecting the city that was not favourable to dragons. He found that he could not contact Palarandusk mentally, and there was a general background hum that was causing him a serious headache. Bob had heard tell that in ages past, dragons both good and bad had caused public fear and discontent in Waterdeep whenever they appeared, and the famed mage Aghairon created a mythal that acted as a dome over the city, though it was weaker in newer areas of the city that had grown since the protective barrier had been put into place. He realized that the closer that he had gotten to Castle Waterdeep, the stronger the headache had become. Out in the North Ward it was still painful but tolerable. He must be on the outer reaches of the tower’s area of effect. Note to self, ask Siegfried for a room in the newest part of town.   Siegfried entered his father’s study. It’s easy to intimidate Kowalski, but my father is another matter , he thought to himself. Cauldar was sitting primly in a chair off to the side while Millio lounged behind a wide table topped with sheaves of parchment and a bottlescape of empty wine flasks. “Good to see you son, again. Sit down.” Siegfried sat across from his father. “I was kidding around before, but glad to have you back glad you’re safe, sorry about your new brother,” Millio said. “I’ll take care of him,” Siegfried replied. “But we have to talk about some stuff Siegfried, and Cauldar’s made a list, haven’t you?” “Yes I have sir,” Cauldar said. “Should be on your desk there.” “Right,” Millio said. “We’ve got some bad news to deal with Siegfried.” “I’ve pissed off a lot of people,” Siegfried admitted. “We’ll get to that. Let’s start with some of the less-bad news we have to deal with first. You asked me to ask Cauldar to look into the Order of the Burning Dawn.” Siegfried pointed through the floorboard and cast a message to Bob and Varien. “You’ll want to be upstairs to hear this.” “I guess some of this is open to other ears if you want,” Millio shrugged. “The Burning Dawn, Varien was accused of being a member. He’s involved against his wishes,” Siegfried said. “It’s more his quest than my own.” “Gotcha,” Millio replied. “These two are up to date on pretty much everything,” Siegfried said as Bob and Varien entered the room. “Gentlemen, come in. So, Order of the Burning Dawn. Cauldar, you wanna take it from here?” “Yes sir,” Cauldar got to his feet and addressed the room. “At your request young master I looked into this Order of the Burning Dawn, it as you may know is an adventurer’s guild my understanding is that there were chapterhouses as far north as Ten Towns, Luskan, Neverwinter, and Mirabar, however all of those chapterhouses have appeared to have been shall we say liquidated. The Waterdeep chapterhouse is the exception. It appears to have remained intact and I can provide you with the address: Watchrun Alley and Redcloak Lane in the Dock Ward. I discreetly checked in on it once or twice while taking care of family affairs in the Dock Ward and did not see any activity. I fear that either these adventurers either cleared out, or they themselves are under some sort of threat. That is all I was able to discover without making more overt overtures.” “Thank you very much, Cauldar,” Siegfried said. “Very useful, thank you,” Varien said. “On a related note, what do you know about the Order of the Gilded Eye?” “They don’t like us,” Siegfried said. “They don’t like these two,” he indicated Varien and Bob. “We plan on returning to their halls when we get the chance,” Varien said darkly. “When a girl invites you over and she catches you pissing in the sink, you have to wait for things to cool down before you go back to that girl,” Siegfried said with a laugh. “They have demons beneath the floorboards,” Varien continued. “Demons in the floorboards? Fascinating!” Cauldar said. “Perhaps demon is the wrong word,” Varien said. “Well I should say considering their feelings about demons that would be incredibly ironic.” “We’re aware of it, but they’re like we can handle it and it’s far more interesting to go after political evils but it’s like “is it though because you have literal demons in your cellar!” They have a very strange set of priorities for an organization explicitly intent on slaying demons.” “Priorities, eh? Interesting.” “Yes, we also had some entanglements when I was getting these chuckleheads out of Helm’s Hold,” Siegfried continued. “And there was the encounter with Sir Hawkwinter.” “Yes, that brings us to our next item. I’m glad you brought that up, that is probably the meat of our meeting today, young master,” said Cauldar. “This Hawkwinter business. I believe your father would like to talk to you about that.” At Cauldar’s cue, Millio stood up to his full height and slammed his hands down on the tabletop. “What the hell were you thinking!?” He growled. “My thinking was ‘let’s distract them, let’s send them on their way!’ And then the flippin’ Halfling, he decided to burn them to the ground! He tied them up! He set them on fire!” “Halfling? What Halfling?” Millio sputtered. “Where’s this Halfling?” “He’s out there in the city, no one can control him!” Siegfried said. “But he did save a lot of lives, and disrupted an orc crowning by stealing their sacrifices and returning them to their parents. So, he does some good too. I was just trying to minimize the damage, and in this case, minimizing the damage meant slowing down the Order of the Gilded Eye. I only realized it was frigging Hawkwinter as I was trying to sort through the charred corpses.” “Okay, okay, listen,” Millio said. “You know our family and the Hawkwinter Family go back a long way,” “I know,” Siegfried said. “That’s why I arranged to have him resurrected.” “We’ll get to that,” Millio said. “But listen, hold on.” He gathered himself. “This type of thing, look, I mean, a little birdie, a little raven, sent us the transcripts of your little performance as a professional witness, or dare I say it, a lawyer ,” his father hissed out the word. Cauldar looked around uneasily. “Sire, don’t say that word so loudly.” “So,” Millio continued, “We read it, we saw it, it’s on the record. We know what you did. Fine. The Hawkwinters aren’t happy.” “They shouldn’t be.” “They’ve filed a grievance in the Lord’s Court. You know what that means?” Siegfried frowned. That meant that the matter would appear before the highest court in Waterdeep, presided over by a group of Masked Lords of Waterdeep. “Against me or against this house?” Siegfried asked. “Good question,” Millio replied bitterly. “That’s what I called you here for. You gotta straighten this out so that House Hawkwinter and House Thann remain simpatico, all right? I know you don’t like playing the obsequious groveling type, I’m just askin’ ya, to just take one for the team, all right? And that’s why, I gotta hand you this summons.” Millio sighed and fished out a small piece of cream-coloured cardstock featuring an embossed image of a wolf, a ram, and a hart. “Because listen, this is bigger than just the Hybrid Branch, all right? You said you wanted to pay for his resurrection, that’s all well and good, but we’re not the ones holding the purse strings in this family, Siegfried. So, you gotta give an account to our accountants, and then you have to get Lady Lureena to authorize it.” “What do we owe?” Siegfried asked. “Well, there’s the standard resurrection fee, then there’s a tithe to the Hawkwinter’s favoured deity, and we can do the accounting but it’s a significant chunk on our balance sheet of the end of the year, you know what I mean?” “What is the bottom line? The financial sum?” Siegfried pressed. “Ugh, you’re asking me about money?” Millio wrinkled his nose. “Cauldar, what is it?” “Well when you take into account all of the necessary fees and surcharges, you’re looking at about three thousand gold, or equivalent fungible items.” “Even if you’ve got it, Siegfried, we still have to do this pro forma exercise and get everyone on board.” “Yes, but it would be better if I had it on hand,” Siegfried said. “And pay out of pocket.” “Like I said, Lureena is going to want to know. If you can cover it that’s great that means there’s no black mark in our ledger, it shows a bit of contrition and maybe there’s no problem sitting you next to Lady Hawkwinter at the next ball. You know we’ve been grooming relations here. She’s not happy that her brother wound up dead, and you don’t want to get on her bad side.” “Nope!” Siegfried said in a high-pitched voice. “She’s a beauty, but she’s dangerous.” “Okay,” Siegfried said to his friends. “If we take those silver trade bars from Ieirithymbul and add some platinum to it, we can pay for your mistakes.” “Whose mistakes?” Bob replied angrily. “Not you Bob, you did nothing wrong, you were great,” Siegfried said. “Varien, remember that fight when I tried to talk and everybody jumped them, and then Erwen set fire to everyone and I tried to cover our tracks because we needed to get to Neverwinter? Can we take the funds from the party chest to pay the financial cost?” “I don’t care what you do with your gold, Siegfried,” Varien replied. “Bob holds the party chest,” Varien shrugged. “Seems like a good idea,” Bob said. “To avoid further problems down the line so why not?” “You’re a friend Bob and when I have my own table you will always have a seat there,” Siegfried said. To his father he said, “Should I pop by Wolf, Ram & Hart first or do I go straight to Lady Hawkwinter?” “Well, yeah, you’re going to have to talk, like we know, lawyers are not allowed within the city limits,” “They are simply friends who are skilled,” Siegfried said. “Yes, exactly,” Millio said. “Yes,” Siegfried said. “I will drop my friends off at the Temple of Beauty, and I will take the funds over to Wolf, Ram & Hart while you tend to your religious rites and see if I can’t smooth this over.” He thought for a moment. “I will need to make my own petition to the Lord’s Court, so I will have to make things right first.” He turned to Varien. “That thing we want to do in the City of Dead? We won’t have a chance to start on that project until the Erwen situation is settled.” “Okay, sonny boy,” Millio said. “You know where their offices are in the Trades Ward.” “That I do,” Siegfried said. “Oh, okay, one more thing,” Millio said. “What happened to Lady Nidris in Neverwinter? I’m sure this is all connected.” “Three separate groups of assassins came to her in one night!” “Three?” “Three separate teams! Devils trying to kidnap her sons. Why? Then there were some masked assassins who turned to dust when you killed them. What was that about? Then there were druids who made a dinosaur out of a hedge and tore down her back wall! In league with the Eldreth Veluuthra! I make have misspoken in anger because I found out the Lord Protector arrested a bunch of my friends and I thought maybe didn’t like me because I was a half-orc and getting all political trying to help his city, but I did put in a few good words with people in his court, so that’s good, and by the way I can teleport now, that’s pretty nice. I am going to have to apologize to the Lord Protector too though.” “Oh boy. You with more mobility, that’s all we need! That means you can get into more trouble in more places and Cauldar here has to pick up after you.” “Love you too, Dad.” “But I told you, Siegfried, you know I told you that Lady Nidris and Lady Lureena, may she one day inherit , you know that they were tight, and she’s not happy with the state of her house and you did not part under the best of circumstances.” “When we saved her son’s life, we didn’t destroy her house.” Siegfried said. “That was the hedge monster’s fault.” “Okay, all I’m saying is that some word has gotten back to Lady Lureena that you were involved in some kind of fracas.” “The fracas came to Lady Nidris!” Siegfried protested. “Look, if there was a son that needed saving, that’s all well and good, but I’m just saying, family interests are our priority,” Millio growled. “Lady Nidris is our key to Neverwinter.” “I will send apologies to her and we won’t stay at her home again,” Siegfried said. “Well that’s all I had,” Millio said, dusting off his hands. “I need a drink. Cauldar?” Cauldar refilled the glass. Siegfried pulled out the dwarven mug made out of hammered electrum. “For you, Dad.” “That’s very sweet, thank you,” MIllio said, handing the cup to Cauldar, who wiped it out with a cloth. “Thank you for your hospitality,” Varien said to Millio, who waved absently.

The party congregated in the foyer of the townhouse. “All right, Temple of Beauty then?” Siegfried said. “Bob and I would very much like to visit, yes,” Varien said. “I would like to visit an armory and purchase some silvered arrows,” Theryn said. “So, we’ll split the party,” Siegfried said. “Yes, those of us who are going to heaven, and…” Varien said. “Mind if I take the purse?” Seigfried said. “Take your cash now,” Varien said. “Will do,” Siegfried said. “Alec, you can come with us as well.” “Sure, I have no business at the temple,” Alec said.   Siegfried sent a message to his mother. “Can you keep an eye on our friend James here to make sure he doesn’t do anything evil? He’s reforming, he’s on the mend, but if he shows himself to be a danger to the family, my friends and I will not worry if you have to put him down like a dog.” “Of course, dear,” Katerina replied. “But is this how you treat all your new friends?”   The hire-coach dropped Bob and Varien off at the Temple of Beauty at Ivory Street and Diamond Road and headed south into the Castle Ward. The Temple of Beauty was Waterdeep’s largest and grandest temple dedicated to the worship of Sune. It was a lavish temple of red marble, featuring gold and silver accents with many statues of the goddess and her most comely worshippers throughout the history of the faith. The structure was a combination temple and pleasure dome, soaring above the neighboring noble villas, with tall towers and a central open-air ballroom that hosts revels many nights of the year.   One of Waterdeep's most opulent temples, this building was carved out of the most expensive materials by the most talented artists and architects was also one of the popular thanks to the army of beautiful priestesses (and priests) that resided inside it.    The front steps lead up to a set of massive bronze doors, richly decorated with low relief carvings of couples intertwined in highly improbable positions. On either side of the shining doors, and outshining them, stood a pair of very handsome guards. Their chiseled faces and well-defined muscles looked like something out of a painting, but they were dressed in an outlandish costume of burnished, decorative bronze breast plates, open-faced bronze helms with dyed purple horsehair crests, long purple capes and sandals. Their bronze shields and weapons looked to be more decorative than functional with inlaid silver and shining gems covering them. Both guards stand at attention, looking off into space. Between them was a velvet rope, blocking the path to the doors. “The temple isn’t closed today, is it?” Varien ventured. The guard glanced down at him out of the corner of his eye, and without changing his stance said, “That depends on who is calling.” “Paladin and Cleric of Sune, Varien Aether and Bob Trevelyan.” The guard gave them an appraising look. “Welcome, brothers,” and they unhooked the velvet rope, allowing them inside. They stood in large foyer with a vaulted ceiling as the doors shut behind them. There was a colorful mosaic on the floor of a beautiful woman with brilliant red hair swirling around her head like tongues of flame. The walls were decorated with frescoes showing beautiful nymphs reveling with satyrs and other woodland creatures. One of the nymphs was painted to represent Sune, recumbent upon a bower, dressed in a diaphanous robe and holding up a goblet of wine with a 'come hither' expression on her face. Below the frescoes, against the walls, were couches with red and purple cushions on them. A beautiful redheaded woman wearing vestments that left little to the imagination that identified her as the Herald of the Temple, the High Exultant of Sune, the Eye of the Goddess approached them. She might not be the high priestess, but this woman was very much in charge. “Welcome to the Temple of Beauty, brothers. I am Iseriasha Darkeyes, High Exultant of Sune. You look as though you have been traveling the road for some time. How might the servants of the Lady Firehair be of service?” “I think we might need to bathe before our religious service,” Varien said. Iseriasha looked Varien up and down. “I heartily agree. Let me show you to the baths.” She ushered them into a palatial bathhouse within the temple that made all other temples look like condemned buildings. Varien was on the lookout for anything that looked like it was missing a circular panel of crystal stained-glass. As Iseriasha led them further into the temple, they walked past a large fresco that showed Sune welcoming a woman dressed as a phoenix into her home. “Can you explain this to me?” Varien said. Iseriasha smiled. “Of course, this is a representation of the first meeting between Sune and Hyolyn the Phoenix. You can see that the Lady Firehair is tending to her with the utmost care and respect and is ushering her into a place of sanctity and security within Sune’s divine realm.” “Yes, I see the feathers, they’re quite artfully done,” Varien said. “Yes, you will find that unlike some temples of Sune, we at the Temple of Beauty do embrace our brothers and sisters who follow the cult of the Phoenix. They are tolerated and celebrated in Waterdeep.” “Fascinating,” Varien said. “What is your interest?” Iseriasha asked. Varien cast a wary glace at the Exultant, and then shrugged. He began to recite the verse etched on his gauntlet. Iseriasha’s eyelashes fluttered. “A poetry reading?”   Travel the length of the Twilit Land; Where the peaks cut deepest take your stand. Against the ghosts of the Broken Bone; Crystal panes your keys to own.   The Burning Dawn holds sacred fire; Dread’s darkness drowns flames of desire. Where the Obsidian Circle leaves its mark; Vashi claims her holy spark.   Arcetalos locked in a crystal prison; In Beauty’s Temple a rot arisen. For the phoenix’s flame you now must fight; Cleanse the darkness with my holy light.   Iseriasha’s eyes lit up. “Did…did the Lady Firehair speak with thee?” “That’s right!” Varien said. “Mmmhmm,” Bob said. “We have reclaimed the crystal panes of Hyolyn,” Varien said. “Amazing!” Iseriasha gushed. “I was not expecting to hear a divine revelation this day!” “Would you happen to know anything about these crystal panes and where they may belong?” “I do believe that our High Priestess Ssaeryl Shadowstar needs to hear from you immediately. Once you have cleansed yourselves, I will make sure you have an audience with the high priestess.” “Thank you,” Varien said. “And what are you here for, brother?” Iseriasha asked Bob. “I am here for rest and relaxation as well,” Bob said, bowing politely. “Will you be requiring an attendant?” “Yes!” Bob said. He pulled out his vial of tears as an offering. “Yes, Bob does have the ability to create tears of evergold,” Varien said. Iseriasha clapped her hands and four beautiful acolytes appeared to assist Varien and Bob in their bathing. “Hey,” Varien said. “We’re here to help you rest and relax,” the lead attendant said. Under the watchful eyes of Iseriasha and the Seraphs of Sune overhead, the rituals were completed. The attendants took particular care with Bob’s scales.   As the coach traveled southward, Siegfried pointed out Brandarthall, the former Neverember Manor, the residence of Renaer Neverember. “That’s where we will find Dagult Neverember’s son. But don’t call him Neverember’s son, he doesn’t have a good relationship with his father.” Alec looked out the window and nodded. “You know, Siegfried, we should take this opportunity to get to know one another better,” Theryn said. “Because ever since we met it’s been one swordfight after another.” “Things have been hectic,” Siegfried agreed. “So now I’ve met your family, they seem like nice people, but what about you?” Theryn asked him. “What’s your endgame? What’s your ambition?” “Well,” Siegfried said. “I could tell you, but the Lord Protector might have us both killed.” “And why is that?” “Well, I told you who my mother is, I’d prefer you not to say her name in this city. And you’ve met my blood brother Rulgar.” “Yes, charming,” Theryn said. “Yes. So, two unlikely families’ blood runs in my veins, neither of them are Thanns, and both are significantly more powerful than the Thanns. I want to do some good in the world.” “What kind of good would you like to do?” “The good where several rulers earlier have failed,” Siegfried said. “What were their failures?” “They died for starters.” “So, you want to be immortal. That always bodes well. Continue.” Siegfried chuckled. “This is Waterdeep, someone’s always listening. This should be a conversation held in places where people can’t listen.” “But whose den are we walking into?” Theryn asked. “Lawyers are banned within the city limits,” Siegfried said. “These are family friends, members of a banned profession, and have certain, shall we say, cardiovascular impairments.” “Okay,” Theryn said. “Differently alive, yes,” Siegfried. “These specific family friends of a certain professions are differently alive in ways that certain good friends are not open-minded about.” “What’s your ambition in meeting them?” “This is to smooth over a killing. Erwen killed someone who shouldn’t have been killed.” “So, we’re going in to apologize for killing someone important?” Theryn. “Yes, we are going to talk to accountants who are going to help us balance the books of a number of people that Erwen has pissed off. Doing so will allow us to start a process of entering the City of the Dead and get some good gear before Rulgar gets it and uses it to gather another Orc army that will kill us all.” “What’s in the City of the Dead?” “Oh, the Orc Excalibur,” Siegfried replied. “Wait, the Ettin Axe?” Theryn said. “Yes, the Orc that wields the Ettin Axe and is able to withstand its power can become King of all Orcs.” “And you want to be King of All Orcs?” Theryn asked. “No! Have you seen an Orc Kingdom? They all suck!” Siegfried exclaimed. “It’s all about the killing and the marauding. They don’t build! They don’t rule!” “So, what are you going to do with the axe?” “Make sure Rulgar doesn’t get it, and maybe get some civilization going! The Kingdom of Many-Arrows is a good start, but they can do better. Not all orcs flock to their banner. But for me it’s commerce, trade, opportunity for all. Theryn, I have a dream! Where a creature is not judged by the demon god that created them, but by the quality of his character! My dream is commerce. Commerce without bloodshed. And I want to be on top of the whole thing.” “Fair enough. As long as I’m not walking into somewhere where somebody wants to kill me just because I’m standing next to you.” “That’s why Varien isn’t here. These are civilized people, they like it when money flows, and the only blood they like flowing is blood into their mouths, but we’ll allow it.” The hire-coach ended up at the Prowl, and there was indeed a shingle hanging out from one of the buildings that displayed the Wolf, the Ram and the Hart. “These people we’re going to meet, Varien would not tolerate them. Will you guys be cool?” Siegfried asked Theryn and Alec. “We’ll be all right,” Theryn said. “Because Varien and Bob cannot know anything about what we are going to do,” Siegfried said. “Comparatively, nothing evil, nobody is being hurt. It’s all above board.” They entered the accountant’s office. The waiting room was filled overstuffed leather chairs and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that smelled of rich mahogany. After a few moments an attendant entered and said “Young Master Thann, they are waiting for you.” “Thank you,” Siegfried said, as he and his friends entered. On the walls of the room was a gallery of portraits. Behind a table in this room, which featured enough chairs for the party to sit down, sat a humanoid man wearing a well-tailored cloak. The man’s ears were doglike and stuck straight up through his hairline. His eyes were a solid black. “Wolfram, thank you for having me.” “Ah-h-h, young master Thann. So good of you to respond to our summons.” “There was a screw up,” Siegfried said. “Such language, young master!” Wolfram chided. “Now, I take it your father has explained to you what recompense needs to be made in this instance?” “Yes,” Siegfried replied. “I intend to pay, to make the Hawkwinters whole again.” He began to stack silver trade bars on the table. “Ah-h-h-h,” Wolfram purred. Siegfried added gold trade bars to the silver ones. “A-h-h-h-h!” Wolfram’s ears somehow got longer and taller. “And this should be 3,000 gold pieces, which is what I’ve been told we owe?” Siegfried said. “Ah, very interesting indeed,” Wolfram said, looking over the pile of trade bars and coins. “Your journeys have been fruitful. And who are these muscled men-at-arms?” “This is Alec Trevelyan and Theryn Hellvalour,” Siegfried indicated his friends. “A-h-h-h, Hellvalour,” Wolfram purred as his black eyes twinkled. “I like that name.” Theryn pursed his lips. “And where do you hail from, Mr. Hellvalour?” Wolfram’s voice was like poured caramel. “Damara,” Theryn said. “A-h-h-h-h, Damarrrrra, far to the east,” Wolfram said, taking his time with the word. Just for a second, Wolfram’s visage flickered into something far more doglike, but then he returned to his more humanoid form. “You missed a spot while shaving this morning,” Siegfried said, scratching his chin. “Oh dear, sorry about that,” Wolfram said with a grin. “And how is the weather these days in Damara?” “That would depend on when last you were there,” Theryn said. “Quite,” Wolfram said. “I haven’t been there in some time,” Theryn said. Wolfram leaned forward. “I know exactly what you mean, Mr. Hellvalour. Why, I haven’t been home in what, well, what seems like an entire Age.” Siegfried recognized the paintings that hung on the walls as family portraits of the living members of the Thann Dynasty, including an empty frame that bore his name. These sending-frame portraits provided their subject with a view of the proceedings of this room, if they so desired. Siegfried imagined that in Wolfram & Hart’s offices were many rooms such as this that would have a similar portrait gallery. He wasn’t sure who was active at present. His brother Hugo’s portrait was sticking out its tongue. “Of course,” Siegfried said under his breath. “Well, there are no secrets from the family here and I want to make due on the money I owe the family. Here is the money I owe the Thann family to make recompense to the Hawkwinter Family, and I seek further guidance on how to mend this relationship before it becomes further strained.” One of the portraits spoke. Siegfried’s heart sank as he realized it was Lady Lureena. “Well spoken, young Thann,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm veiled behind just enough propriety to protect her from being called out on it. “It is well that you were able to make do on such short notice lest the relations between House Thann and House Hawkwinter grow further strained.” “My work of repairing is not yet done,” Siegfried said. “No, it is not,” Lureena snapped. “You will speak to Harianna the Lady Hawkwinter. You will make abasements. You will make amends.” “Tyr is in his heaven and all will be well,” Siegfried said. Another portrait spoke, and Siegfried felt elation as he realized it was the Matriarch of House Thann, Cassandra, who snapped at Lureena. “Lureena! Don’t be so harsh with the boy. He has learned much, though he has much to learn, and he will make things right, in the way he sees fit.” “Thank you for your continued confidence, grandmother,” Siegfried said. Cassandra winked at Siegfried and then her portrait went still. Lady Lureena’s oil-on-canvas complexion darkened reddishly. “Be mindful, young master, for there will come a time when you answer solely to me.” “Lady Lureena,” Siegfried said, steeling himself. “Yes?” Lureena replied expectantly. “Patience is not always the best virtue. Action, exultation, friendship, commerce, one does not need to sit and wait to wield power. As I have learned so many things these last few months since I’ve left Waterdeep I hope to show you the man you have yet to meet.” “Hmm,” Lady Lureena said. “Well spoken, well-spoken indeed.” Her eyebrow arched and then her portrait too froze in place. “Now, Wolfram,” Siegfried said. “In your opinion, what must be done to exalt House Thann and House Hawkwinter.” “Oh, well, I suppose a formal dinner would be a good start, some sort of ball, perhaps, a revel to smooth over the hard feelings.” “Too gauche,” Siegfried said. “Perhaps something more intimate.” “Intimate?” Wolfram purred knowingly. “Perhaps I shall make overtures to House Hawkwinter to arrange an outing perhaps between you and the Lady?” “Something where sincerity can be conveyed without performance,” Siegfried said. “A-h-h-h-h-h, now young master you know performance plays a role in all these interactions,” Wolfram said. “Of course, but to perform sincerity one must not be seen to perform, but only to perform sincerely,” Siegfried. Wolfram nodded. “I will of course be in touch with the details, and Cauldar will handle the matter.” “Naturally,” Siegfried said. He began to empty treasure onto the table. “In other interests, I have some personal business. In our adventures my companions and I have encountered some other assets that I would like to liquidate.” “We will convert these items into something a little more fungible and dispatch a writ or some other slip to the House treasury forthwith.” “This is not the House’s,” Siegfried said. “This is of my adventuring party.” “I am sorry I misunderstood,” Wolfram. “Of course, you represent the House, and your first interest is with the House,” said Siegfried. “Then off the side of my desk it shall be,” Wolfram said. “In that case we will cash out, less our percentage of course, and is it still permissible to deliver to the rowhouse?” “To the Care of Bob Trevelyan,” Siegfried said. “Another interesting name,” Wolfram purred. “And on that side business, who would you recommend for the laundering of a cursed item, to retain the power but lose the curse?” Siegfried asked, showing the orc mask to the accountant. “You’ll want to visit Thort’s Findings,” Wolfram said. “He can sort you out.” “If you are able to perform without being seen to perform and smooth things out with the Hawkwinters I do believe we can keep this matter out of the Lord’s Court,” Wolfram said, rearranging a pile of papers on his desk. “Good, but there is another matter with the Lord’s Court,” Siegfried said. “Go on,” Wolfram said. “Of course.” “We need to exhume the Heroes’ Tomb and retrieve the Ettin Axe,” Siegfried said. “This is no small ask.” “Oh my,” Wolfram said. “This might take some finessing.” “That’s why I come to the best!” Siegfried said. “Regarding my father’s birthright, my other father’s birthright, there is a claimant from the green side of the family.” “Oh, interesting,” Wolfram replied. “And he has expressed an interest in a particular item, and it needs be that I claim it before he does in order to invalidate any claim he would use with it. It is not sufficient to take the item, but to invalidate his claim upon it.” “Ah-h-h-h-h-h, it’s the oldest story there is, brother against brother,” Wolfram said with a wistful look. “In that case we will have to expedite matters. You will of course receive the summons at your house when the Lord’s Court convenes.” “Whatever you can do, and whatever you can do to train me before the Court,” Siegfried said. “Remember to speak plainly and as truthfully as you are able, and the Lords may decide in your favour,” Wolfram said. “After all, anyone in Waterdeep could be one of the Masked Lords. Some you may know, some you may not know, that is the part of the endless puzzle.” “Now Wolfram, how long has it been? You can tell me; I know you’re one of them.” “Oh stop, you flatter me, you flatter me!” Wolfram said. “No, I merely serve.” “Which is exactly what a Masked Lord would say,” Siegfried said with a smile. “Oh dear, I do believe I have another client coming in,” Wolfram said, with a grin that showed his pointed teeth.